Carlow GAA club granted planning permission for walkway upgrades amid rail safety concerns

Planning permission has been granted for improvements to a walkway at a local Carlow Town GAA club, including the installation of new external lighting.

The application, recently granted by Carlow County Council, will see the development built at the Eire Og complex, located on the O'Brien Road in Carlow Town.

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Originally applied for in February of this year,Eire Og CLG has now been given the go ahead to proceed with the upgraded lighting infrastructure.

The approved works will be comprised of installation of external lighting to the existing walkway in the grounds of Eire Og complex as well as the resurfacing of the walkway. It also sought approval for all associated works.

Due to the complex's proximity to a Carlow rail line, considerations had to be taken that the new lighting would pose no danger or hazard is posed to railway operations.

In representations made by Iarnród Éireann Infrastructure to the application, they outlined key safety requirements due to the development’s proximity to the railway.

Under the Railway Safety Act 2005, the developer must ensure that no works pose a risk to rail operations, and these obligations should be considered throughout both the planning and construction stages.

It also said that the boundary with the railway must not be altered without consent and strictly prohibits access to railway property.

Additionally they requested measures must be put in place to prevent trespassing at all times, and any lighting must avoid causing glare that could affect train drivers as a part of any planning conditions.

With this considered,  the local authority granted planning permission on April 10 for the proposed development to proceed subject to 10 planning conditions.