"Irish Rail can't tell us what to do" says Laois councillor

A Laois County Councillor has affirmed that Irish Rail need not be consulted on the implementation of safety measures on a footpath beneath the railway bridge on Portlaoise's Mountrath road.

Fine Gael Councillor William Aird has stressed that the Council need not involve Irish Rail in discussions on the matter.

This was following a motion tabled by Independent Cllr Tommy Mulligan that Laois County Council install handrails or alternative safety measures on the footpath under the railway bridge on Grattan Street/Mountrath Road.

This motion has previously been brought to the council twice by Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, with a topographical survey having previously taken place to determine whether this path can be widened.

Pictured: The narrow footpaths beneath the bridge have concerned many locals

"A topographical survey was undertaken in the vicinity of the railway bridge on the Mountrath road to examine the opportunity to widen the footpaths at this location," said Mr Wes Wilkinson, Senior Executive Engineer with Laois County Council.

"The Portlaoise MD Office is arranging to meet with Irish Rail in the coming weeks to discuss the topographical survey and explore options to improve the safety of pedestrians using the footpaths under the railway bridge.”

"These footpaths are quite narrow, narrower than what you'd see on the Mountmellick road. The reason handrails weren't put up previously was that installing handrails would further restrict the width of the path, which inadvertently gives rise to a risk of either people having to walk on the road to the side of the railing into oncoming traffic, or a lack of accessibility to those with buggies or in wheelchairs. Another reason is that railings in general can be a hazard for cyclists passing by," he said.

"Taking these risks into consideration as to why the railings haven't been installed to date. Part of looking at the location is to see if there are other opportunities to gain some footpath width, and the narrowing of the road. These discussions would have to take place in conjunction with Irish Rail, as the railway bridge and part of the footpath there are also their responsibility," he finished. 

Cllr Aird made the point that the footpath is Council property, and Irish Rail need not be involved.

"I don't think Irish Rail can tell us what to do on a footpath. We went through the loops with Irish Rail over pedestrian crossing, they gave us seven full years before they would allow us to put a path there," said Cllr Aird.

"They can't tell us what to do, and I want to make that point clear. That footpath is Laois County Council's. We didn't have to get permission to put a plaque up for William Dargan at the train station. On the left hand side, if there is enough room, we should go ahead with it," he said.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan welcomed this update, having received multiple complaints on the footpath from concerned locals.

Pictured: the railway bridge on Grattan Street/Mountrath Road.

"A few parents have come to me with this as there is increasing concern of the traffic on this road, coming along by housing estates, and there is a school there with nearly 1000 students going to Portlaoise College and 800 students going to Scoil Bhride," Cllr Mulligan said.

"Lorries and cars are going faster now unfortunately, and there is a possibility there of getting sucked under a car. Parents are concerned about pedestrian footfall there. Particularly for school with bicycles or buggies, it is particularly dangerous. Can we look at some form of safety measures there, thank you," he finished.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Aird supported this motion, so long as the handrail provided doesn't impede on footpath space available for wheelchair users.

"Traffic is supposed to be going very slow there, and the height of the footpath there, especially on the left hand side, I think a handrail would be a help there, provided there's enough room for wheelchair users," Cllr Aird said.

Cllr Fitzgerald also welcomed this reply from Mr Wilkinson.

"I have had so many complaints from people nervous on that bridge. The path is so narrow and there are big lorries coming along, it is dangerous. Whatever can be done to help it, please do," she said.

This matter took place at the October sitting of the Portlaoise Municipal District of Laois County Council.