Upgrades needed at Mayo level crossing following accident

There are calls to make a level crossing in southeast Mayo safer following an accident there.

Independent councillor Richard Finn put forward a motion at a recent meeting Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District calling on Mayo County Council to write to Iarnród Éireann to ascertain what upgrades they plan on making at the Garryredmond level crossing, between Claremorris and Ballyhaunis, in the interests of health and safety.

It comes after a train collided with a car there in September. The adult male driver of the vehicle and the teenage male front-seat passenger were both airlifted to Galway University Hospital but survived the collision. The two males were brothers from Clifden, Co Galway.

Cllr Finn called on road users who are crossing the level crossing to close the gates after they are finished using them. He counted nine signposts coming off the N60 warning motorists who are approaching the level crossing in Garryredmond.

Cllr Finn believes that the area needs to be better lit. However, as the ESB has not connected electricity yet, he questioned why a solar-powered lighting system cannot be installed there.

Fine Gael Cllr Tom Connolly agreed with Cllr Finn, saying he could not understand why Iarnród Éireann won’t use solar panels in Garryredmond.

Cllr Patsy O’Brien, who worked with Iarnród Éireann for many years, said he used to walk that particular section every Monday morning and close the gates. He believes it is very important that the ESB brings electricity to light up the area.