Irish Rail will lodge a planning application for a second platform and one kilometre ‘passing loop’ at Oranmore Railway Station in the coming weeks.

The company indicated to Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Councillor Liam Carroll (Ind) that the €12m project will be lodged with planners before the end of the month.

Cllr Carroll said the second platform and passing loop have been finalised by Irish Rail and National Transport Authority this week.

If granted planning, the passing loop will allow additional capacity on the Athenry to Galway commuter route and avoid delays to trains travelling on the Galway to Dublin Heuston services.

“I would be advocating for a speedy positive response from the Planning Department of Galway County Council to the planning application so that construction works could commence before the end of 2024,” said Cllr Carroll.

With a construction timescale of up to 15 months, Cllr Carroll said “the new platform and passing loop at Oranmore could dovetail nicely with the completion of the re-development of Ceannt Station, targeted for the second half of 2026”.
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