€2.9m Rail Link Project for Carlow town centre gets the green light

A €2.9M project linking Carlow Railway Station to Carlow town centre is expected to get underway in early 2025.

At last week’s meeting of Carlow County Council members formally backed the Rail Link Project, with a contractor expected to be appointed in 2025 and work beginning on site in the first quarter of 2025.

The Rail Link Project allows pedestrian success from Carlow Railway Station through the grounds of St Leo’s College, into Carlow College and from there to the town centre.

Senior executive architect for URDF, Conor Moriarty outlined the project confirming that negotiations and collaboration had occurred with all parties involved including St Catherine’s Community Services, St Joseph's NS, St Leo’s College and Carlow College.

He confirmed that the project would “work with existing infrastructure and trees adding the project “bedded in quite easily with the existing landscape".

Cathaoirleach cllr Fergal Browne described it as “ a good news story” which would also allow greater access to St Leo’s College new hockey pitch.

 “I presume it is open 24 hours a day and if so that there is adequate public lighting,” asked cllr Michael Doran.

Cllr Fintan Phelan said he was happy to propose the plan and welcomed real progress on the URDF funding. He also asked about the timelines for the project. The Rail Link Project was seconded by cllr Adrienne Wallace, who praised the creativity of the council in this plan. She also asked that “as many trees as possible” be retained and wondered if a bike track was also included alongside the walkway.

Cllr John Cassin described it as “very positive” and an opportunity to open up this area of the town. Cllr Cassin asked about progress on the other phases of URDF, the cost of the project and the possibility of having CCTV on the walkway. He also asked about progress on creating greater access on the other side of Carlow Railway Station and Carlow Youth Centre.

Cllr Andrea Dalton said that the numbers of people using that area of St Joseph’s Road had increased significantly and this project would further enhance that.

Cllr Charlie Murphy described it as “a great project” adding that he would like to see more of these schemes taken to the rural areas and local villages.

“Myshall school is trying to encourage walking or cycle to school but it absolutely impossible what with the cars that are on the road,” he said.

Mr Moriarty confirmed the link would allow for 24-hour access and would be well-lit while CCTV “does form part of the project”. 

He stated that in their discussions Carlow College and St Leo’s College were not in favour of a cycle track, but he stated that there is space to allow that development if it was required in the future. He stated a QS study would not be conducted and then a tender issued for the work.

Director of services Padraig O’Gorman stated that the local authority was hoping to appoint a contractor in 2024, with a view to that contractor being on site in the first quarter of 2025. He assured members that URDF for the town was "on track" and progressing well. 

Chief executive Colín O’Reilly stated that he was supportive of development from Carlow Youth Centre to the train station and would be happy to facilitate both parties involved on the matter.

Mr O’Reilly stated that he was not against rural schemes and would always encourage more people to walk and remove cars from our roads. 

He stated he was always willing to work together with communities on any feasible plan where funding could be secured.

Rail Link Project was then unanimously passed by members.