THERE ARE FEARS that plans to reopen a rail line from Wexford to Waterford have been scrapped after the details didn’t appear in a new government funding plan.

Hopes were high after the line featured in the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review published by the previous government in 2024.

The line – connecting Wexford and Rosslare to Waterford – was closed to passengers in 2010 but has been maintained by Irish Rail.

However, yesterday a ‘prioritisation strategy’ published by the Department of Transport revealed that the line no longer features in immediate or medium term plans for this government.

It will press ahead with projects such as reinstating the Western Rail Corridor railway between Claremorris in Mayo and Athenry in Galway.

But there has been outcry from some quarters about the omission of the Wexford-Waterford proposal.

It comes amid criticism of the government’s transport spending plans of focusing too much on roads rather than public transport.

Rail campaign group South East on Track described the move as a “knee-jerk decision” and said it had the effect of “erasing overnight” the previous efforts to get the line included in the plan.

A map of the plans provided in the 2024 Rail Review strategy.

The implications of the cancellation are far-reaching, according to local public transport campaigners, who say the line would improve links with Dublin while also linking Wexford back up with the rest of the south-east, Munster and the west.

The line was also expected to lead to improved frequency on the existing line linking Wexford with Dublin, explained Ciara Murphy of South East on Track.

South East on Track urged that the prioritisation strategy be reconsidered and called for the government to carry on with plans to re-open the line.

“I work in Dublin and live in Wexford town and can attest to how busy it is,” Murphy told The Journal.

“It’s at capacity nearly every single weekday. People are driving from south Wexford to Rosslare or to Waterford to get a train to get to Dublin, adding to congestion.”

The map provided in the new prioritisation document that was released yesterday.

“At a time where commuters are struggling with an over-capacity rail network, the advancement of additional lines and services has to be a priority,” Murphy said.

The reduced plans have also been lambasted by opposition figures, with the Green Party particularly incensed because the Rail Review was one of their key proposals from their stint in the previous government.

On social media, the party’s transport spokesperson and Dublin-based councillor Feljin Jose posted said the new, trimmed down plan was “criminal”.

He said it was an example of the government cutting “more rail projects” and that it came at a time when transport difficulties are facing parts of the country.

They've done it again, they've cut more rail projects. The most criminal one for me is cancelling the reopening of the Waterford-Wexford/Rosslare line. On the left is the All-island Rail Review published by the last government and on the right is the plan published today. pic.twitter.com/CkbRfqPYgJ

— Feljin Jose (@Feljin_J) December 15, 2025

The councillor pointed to the significant investment planned for Rosslare Europort, where the site will be almost doubled in size and will also see the construction of a major facility for the development of Ireland’s offshore wind energy industry.

This investment plan “really should be coupled with investment in both passenger and freight rail in the area”, Jose added.

The plans around the port were also highlighted by Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane, who said the move was a “real slap in the face” for the south-east region.

Cullinane added that fuel prices are continuing to increase and that more therefore needs to be done to make public transport attractive for commuters.

“Unless people have alternatives, then they have to use the car,” Cullinane said.

Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne said the M11 road linking Wexford to Wicklow and on towards Dublin has “now become a car park during the morning”, but that it suffers from not having a “realistic rail alternative” for commuters.

It means that rail commuters in Wicklow and Wexford will continue to face “frequent overcrowding”, the Fianna Fáil TD said.

“The fact that the Department of Transport and Irish Rail are abandoning the Rosslare rail line is really angering but not surprising given their lack of serious engagement,” Byrne told The Journal.

“Dropping any commitment to reopening the Rosslare to Waterford line only adds insult to injury.

Green Party senator Malcolm Noonan, who is based in Kilkenny, called on all elected representatives in the region to come together to have it reinstated.

At a time when demand for public transport has never been greater and when traffic congestion continues to impact on local economies, it really is unbelievable that a rail line that is ready to go, has been shelved.

Noonan also criticised the lack of commitment to restore and extend the old MacDonagh station which he said is preventing the ability of Irish Rail from adding further carriages to the Waterford-Dublin service.

‘The Waterford-Dublin line, like many services, is experiencing over capacity at peak times,” Noonan said.

“Even this relatively straightforward project is not being prioritised.”

The Department of Transport has been contacted for comment.

With reporting by Christina Finn.