#Rosslare2040 - Rail operated Rosslare Europort has featured prominently in the their response to the Governments ‘National Planning Framework’ consultation.

According to MultiModal, the National Planning Framework is the plan that sets out what the transport needs for the country will be in 2040.

A desire to deepen the port to accommodate modern larger high-capacity vessels and develop the port into a multimodal facility which would include the construction of a rail-freight interface is expressed.

Currently the port mostly handles RoRo freight. The port is the second largest seaport in Ireland for unitised road freight and is crucial for the economy and employment in the regional hinterland and for the national economy. The response states the need to improve connectivity to the Port, noting that this direct link to mainland Europe will be more vital post Brexit.

Rosslare Europort has road connections to Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Limerick and intermodal rail freight would benefit from links to Dublin and the West via Waterford.

Irish Rail intermodal trains will be increased in length by around a third shortly following completion of trails to operate longer trains. Presently regular intermodal train operate between Dublin Port, Ballina and Waterford Port.