The government has been urged to provide €3.5 million to reopen Killucan railway station in Co Westmeath.

Labour's Willie Penrose TD called for support from the Rural Regeneration Fund to help boost rural transport in the area.

Speaking to the Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Michael Ring, Deputy Penrose said: "Rural transport is an important factor in rural regeneration, and rural communities have long been treated like Cinderella in that regard. I would ask the Minister to pay particular attention to the need to provide grant aid for transport in rural areas.

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"Transport is important in rural areas to combat rural isolation. In my own constituency, there is a railway station at Killucan which is on the Dublin-Sligo line. It has been closed since 1963 after operating for 115 years."

He added: "Some 10,000 people live within 5 km of the station. The population has quadrupled in this area in the past number of years. Up to 50% of funding could be available from the Rural Regeneration Fund and the Border, Midlands and Western, BMW, funding. We should be able to access that funding and make rail travel a real option for a rural communities in Westmeath." 

The majority of the funds will be utilised to install modern dual platforms at the station.

(CM/JG)