COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JULY 29 EDITION)
Irish Rail is planning a new bridge for Ballyhaunis station which will allow those with disabilities to cross the tracks from the station house to board Westport-bound trains.
A spokesperson for Irish Rail, Barry Kenny, told this column: “We intend to lodge a planning application for a new bridge with lifts at Ballyhaunis next month. Planning and funding will determine the timing of works, but it is a priority for us. In the interim, where we receive notice, we can arrange for trains to call to the accessible platform – customers who require this can contact access@irishrail.ie.”
Passengers are currently required to cross via a footbridge to board west-bound trains, a challenge for those with mobility issues.
Meanwhile, Irish Rail is also aware of a lack of parking at the Ballyhaunis station, which has seen in some instances passengers parking on footpaths near the stations, to the inconvenience of pedestrians.
“Our full review of our car parking requirements across the network is progressing with the National Transport Authority, and is expected to be completed this Autumn,” said Kenny.
“We do recognise that the car park at Ballyhaunis is regularly oversubscribed, and any timing of works to add further spaces will be subject to the outcome of the national review, and funding from the NTA,” he added.
