'Be firm' pressure urged for footpath at busy Portlaoise level rail crossing

The chief executive of Irish Rail has given an update on a much needed footpath at a level crossing in Portlaoise, but it will not be coming down the tracks any time soon.

Irish Rail say they are "actively engaging" with Laois County Council to agree a design, however the council says they are not.

The footpath is wanted across the tracks on a road that Laois County Council now uses to divert N80 road traffic around Portlaoise, at the Old Knockmay Road in Clonminham.

While the road has become much busier, with walkers as well as heavy traffic, the rail line is little used.

No passenger trains go on it, it merely leads to Irish Rail's Portlaoise sleeper manufacturing depot.

There is a gated footpath on one side, only installed in 2021 after years of pressure by Portlaoise councillors.

Walkers on the other side still have to step onto the busy road to get across.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive with Irish Rail, wrote to the council in April to give an update, but he gave no green signal for a new path.

"Iarnród Éireann are actively engaging with Laois County Council on their proposed scheme which encompasses this live level crossing with a view to progressing solutions at this location that meets the needs of all stakeholders both now and into the future. 

"Details of the proposed solutions and way forward can be presented once the necessary reviews, designs and methods of undertaking have been agreed by all relevant parties," the Irish Rail chief said.

However,  Mr Walton said that Irish Rail is not engaging with them, as he read out the response to the April district meeting.

"There is a walkway on the bridge at the other side. While we do have a scheme planned, they are not in active engagement with us. The wish is at the minute that the walkway would be replicated on the other side. We'll take that up with them again," he said.

Portlaoise Municipal District councillor Tommy Mulligan had asked for the path, in a motion tabled last February. 

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He urged Laois County Council director Simon Walton to "be firm" with the train company.

"I was of the opinion that they were engaging. This is such a serious road matter. There are all ages on that road, from bicyclies to prams to walkers. Be firm, Simon," he said.