Irish Rail called out as motorists 'take life in their hands' at Laois train station

Irish Rail knows the solution to a serious road safety hazard at a Laois train station but has declined to give the green light to eradicate the risk faced by motorists.

That was the claim made by a county councillor says that the train company had previously refused to agree to carry out the work needed at out-of-sequence traffic lights at Ballybrophy Train Station.

Cllr Conor Bergin made the remarks at a meeting in Laois County Council where his Fine Gael colleague Cllr John King tabled a motion to make a junction safer.

Cllr King called on the local authority to install extra warning signs on both sides of the bridge and liaise with Iaranród Éireann on what is becoming a 'black spot' for accidents. Cllr King said a new car park at the station had made the bridge junction busier.

While Cllr Bergin fully backed his colleague he insisted the Irish Rail know all about the 'serious' issues facing motorists and how to solve it. He said he met with engineers and contractors at the location and got an explanation as to what had to be done.

"The lights are on two different sequences - there is a delay," he said.

Cllr Bergin claimed that drivers might get a green light on one side of the bridge and then a red the other. He said he had asked contractors how it could be solved.

"They had to get consent from Irish Rail to run a cable across the bridge. They looked for this before when the traffic lights were being installed but it was not forthcoming," he said.

He said he had contacted Irish Rail directly but the company had not replied. In the meantime, he claimed lives are at risk.

"There are people taking their lives in their hands every day when they are driving over their bridge, not knowing what is going to happen the other side," he said.

He asked the council to contact the train company to get the lights problem fixed.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, also backed the motion. He said motorists are taking chances because of the malfunctioning light sequence.  He added the frustration caused to motorists by the light problem is contributing to 'shocking speed'.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, urged officials to make contact with Irish Rail on what he said was 'obviously a serious issue'.

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In a written reply to the motion, Paul McLoughlin, Senior Engineer, Roads, said the Road Design section of Laois County Council would review the advance warning signs and examine what extra measures would complement and support safety. He added that Irish Rail would be contacted as part of the review and additional measures.