Railway bridge struck in Laois for a second time this week
The latest incident caused minimal delays to services
A railway bridge was struck by a high sided vehicle in Laois earlier today, the second such incident impacting rail services in Portlaoise this week.
Irish Rail said services were temporarily delayed by the incident at around noon. Although Irish Rail say delays were minimal, it is the second time a bridge was struck causing delays for road and rail passengers this week.
On Monday, there were 40 minute delays to rail services when a vehicle struck a railway bridge in Portaloise.
“Services have resumed through Portlaoise following a vehicle striking a bridge in the area. Delays of up to +40mins can be expected as a result,” Irish Rail tweeted on Monday, March 11.
In recent years Irish Rail had issued a tender for a new high vehicle warning system for rail bridges on the Mountrath and Mountmellick Roads in Portlaoise but the system has not been installed.
The Leinster Express/Laois Live has repeatedly contacted Irish Rail in recent weeks in relation to bridge strikes in Portlaoise and the planned warning system for bridges in the town but Irish Rail/Iarnrod Eireann has not responded to queries.