Concerns over busy Tipperary railway crossing

[Destructix]

Iarnród Eireann is being accused of putting peoples lives in danger by not adequately staffing a level crossing in South Tipperary.

Safety concerns have resurfaced about a crossing in Carrick on Suir after an ambulance was apparently delayed for some time there yesterday.

The problems at the Cregg Road level crossing in Carrick on Suir have been going on for years.

Locals say the gates can be closed for anything up to quarter of an hour while waiting for a train to pass.

The latest incident happened yesterday when an ambulance on an emergency call was apparently delayed for around ten minutes before the gates could be opened to allow it through.

The Irish Rail employee at the Carrick station has to carry out a number of other duties as well as opening and closing the level crossing a few hundred metres away.

According to Iarnród Eireann the line between Waterford and Limerick Junction is not signalled from central traffic control, but from signal boxes along the route.

They claim the process takes between 5 and 6 minutes - this happens at Carrick-on-Suir 4 times a day twice in the morning and twice in the evening Monday to Saturday.

There are four housing estates on the northern side of the crossing with residents regularly delayed for some time - Michael Hickey of Carrick River Rescue who witnessed yesterdays incident says this could lead to a tragedy.

The issue has been debated at length over the years at Carrick Town Council and South Tipp County Council as well as being raised in the Dail.

Over ten years ago Iarnród Eireann put the cost of replacing the gates with automatic barriers at between €700,000 and €1 million with the then Carrick Town Council having to foot the bill.

http://tippfm.com/news/news_detail/r...way_cross ing