Irish Rail on track to submit planning application for Kilnageer overbridge

IRISH Rail has confirmed to Deputy Alan Dillon that they are on track to submit a planning application to Mayo County Council for the construction of an overbridge at Kilnageer rail crossing (XM 240), outside Castlebar, by the end of March.

As per planning regulations, consent is required from the affected landowners in order to submit a planning application. Irish Rail are currently engaged with the affected landowners to seek consent letters.

Said Deputy Dillon: “I questioned the Irish Rail CEO, Jim Meade, last week during the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications regarding Kilnageer railway crossing.

“At present, it is well known that the manual gate system is of significant concern to local residents who have been calling for an automated level crossing to be put in place. The Irish Rail CEO has since confirmed to me that they hope to apply for planning permission for an overbridge by late March 2021.

“The construction of an overbridge will avoid any delays to traffic flow versus installing a level crossing.”

Part of the planning application will require letters of consent from affected landowners and engagement is currently underway to secure these consents, he explained.

Added Deputy Dillon: “I have engaged directly with residents to demonstrate to Irish Rail their health and safety concerns with the level crossing. Thankfully, we are now moving a step closer to a much safer rail network in Mayo, as well as the local communities around Kilnageer such as Belcarra and Breaffy.”