The proposed closure of three level crossings in Straide by Irish Rail will not go ahead if the members of the Castlebar electoral area committee have their way. Irish Rail have applied for and been given planning permission by Mayo County Council to carry out works on three crossings known as XX31, XX32 and XX33. The rail company have also been given permission to carry out remedial works at a bridge in the area, to deepen the underpass of the bridge which they envisage being used as the only access route over or under the railway lines. The works at the bridge will see the road being deepened by three and half foot to ease access. However, the councillors maintain that having this bridge as the only crossing of the rail line is totally unacceptable as the bridge is a danger already and is prone to flooding at the moment and this will only get worse if the road is lowered a few more feet.
Fine Gael Councillor Henry Kenny told a meeting on Thursday he has had many representations from the people who will be effected and they are not happy about it at all. “It is totally unsuitable that this is the only access the people will have in this area,” he explained. Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne agreed with Cllr Kenny and put it to Director of Services for the area Mr Seamus Granahan that only the councillors themselves have the right to extinguish a right of way and not the council executive. Mr Granahan agreed with Cllr Kilcoyne. Cllr Al McDonnell also spoke on the issue saying: “This bridge is in no way suitable to deal with the increase in traffic it will see, you can’t even bring a tractor and trailer of turf through it.” Cllr Kilcoyne added: “There is no way we’re going to allow this happen”. Mr Granahan outlined to the members that the issue will go for public consultation and then it’s up to the members to decide how to proceed.
