Irish Rail accused of ignoring safety concerns at Mid Tipp bridge

[Destructix]

Concerns have been expressed that efforts to improve safety on a highly dangerous bridge in Tipperary could actually make things worse.

Claims matter is being pushed back because rail line is not in use.

There were calls earlier this year for Irish Rail to carry out remedial work on Graigue Bridge near Moycarkey - which has been described as a "death trap"

Temporary safety bollards have now been set up around the structure to warn passing traffic of the danger but local Independent Councillor Micheál Lowry says they are now a hazard too as they force traffic into the centre of the road.

He is also accusing Irish Rail of ignoring safety concerns at the bridge because the rail line there is not in use.

Councillor Lowry says its been a slow process to get a permanent solution given the bridge's status but he remains hopeful it will be addressed soon.

http://tippfm.com/news/news_detail/i...id_tipp_bridge

Four bridges in that area

https://maps.google.ie/maps?ll=52.633454,-7.809946&spn=0.000952,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cb ll=52.633487,-7.809774&panoid=9a21tbp-9j1zKpkfy1DZog&cbp=12,46.73,,0,20.56


https://maps.google.ie/maps?ll=52.625313,-7.793697&spn=0.000952,0.002642&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cb ll=52.625313,-7.793697&panoid=4SzhU_RZc-Y7XzlBrR16JQ&cbp=12,322.58,,0,3.75

Why weren't these bridges removed in the 70s like some further south were (Horse and Jockey, Laffansbridge, Fethard etc) and why is there no sign/bridge numbers? These bridges still belong to Iarnród Éireann. If they refuse to carry out work on these bridges I imagine Tipperary County Council will have to foot the bill and take legal action against IÉ.

[dowlingm]

Stuff like this, and the bridge that was taken out near Navan a while back, is why I think anything IE is not using should be taken into direct ownership by OPW/DoT. IE is struggling to keep track of and maintain the infrastructure they are actually using.

[Mark Gleeson]

Bridges over the railway are generally the local authorities problem...