Amid an environment of cutbacks, Galway West TD Frank Fahey is to meet CIE Chairman, Dr John Lynch on Wednesday to discuss plans for the new Oranmore and Gort Railway Stations, which are due to be developed as part of the Ennis - Athenry Western Rail Corridor.

Construction on the Gort station was previously delayed due to a planning issue.

According to Deputy Fahey, €9 million was originally provided for construction of the Oranmore station in the overall estimate of spending on the Western Rail Corridor, but it's uncertain whether the full amount of this funding is still available given the current economic circumstances.

A new site, at Garraun, had to be found for the Oranmore station as the level crossing at the old station site was not suitable for use.

Meanwhile, Galway West TD Noel Grealish has called on Dr Lynch to progress plans for the Oranmore station and to meet with the Department of Transport and Galway County Council at the earliest opportunity regarding the project.

"An enormous amount of work has been done by the local authorities in sourcing a site at Garraun in Oranmore to provide the necessary infrastructure for a commuter railway station," said Deputy Grealish.

"A new railway station at Garraun would provide a service for people travelling from east side of Galway into the city each day. This site would also provide for a park and ride service for workers travelling into the major industrial areas of our city," he added,

Deputy Grealish explained that Galway County Council has sent proposals to the Department of Transport for funding for a bus service for the Carnmore Cross, R339 area and the commuter rail station to provide a service to the major industrial areas on the east side of Galway City, including Parkmore, Ballybrit and Ballybane and in conjunction with these plans Galway City Council also continue to expand the QBC Network Approximately 65,000 cars per day travel on the N6, the Oranmore Coast Road and the R339 from Carnmore into Galway city and its major industrial areas, which Deputy Grealish described as "unsustainable".

Galway City Council is also planning a park and ride for the east side of the city, but is still researching this possibility.

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