Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Murphy for giving me the opportunity to discuss this issue in the House today. As many Members will be aware, rail services on this particular line ceased operation in 2010 under an agreement between the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Iarnród Éireann. A number of improvements were made to bus services in the area at the time to ensure continued public transport connectivity. A number of parties have raised concerns that the decision to maintain the Barrow bridge in the current open position means that services may never again run on this line.

I do not wish to give false hope to anyone with regard to any imminent return of services but I would like to clarify that the decision to maintain the bridge in an open position is a pragmatic one, based on the fact that the line has now been closed for more than ten years. During this time, Iarnród Éireann has continued to maintain the Barrow bridge and has operated it for maritime activity related to the Port of New Ross. The open position of the bridge reflects the need to ensure easy navigational access to the port. In the absence of any rail services on the line, it is entirely appropriate that the right of way should be given to the marine traffic to pass through the bridge unencumbered.

Since the decision to close the line, a number of revised arrangements were agreed between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann relating to the line. These arrangements include obligations to review the level of crossing services each year, reviewing the boundary protection along the line each year, and conducting bridge inspections every two years, in line with Iarnród Éireann’s technical standards. In addition, the agreement between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann requires a general review of the line to be undertaken annually. The purpose of the review is to assess the overall condition of the line so as to be able to provide a current status assessment of the infrastructure each year. The revised arrangements also provide that the Barrow bridge be maintained in an open position.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that the planned securing of the bridge in the open position is a temporary measure and in no way removes the future functionality of the bridge for carrying rail traffic, should services on this line resume. Neither, I stress, does it in any way impede consideration of the line in the context of the strategic rail review. I understand larnród Éireann will ensure the continued functionality of the bridge through scheduled movements, which will allay any potential concerns that may exist as regards the permanency of train’s position.

Furthermore, the design of the mechanism is such that it can easily be reversed if rail services do resume at some point in the future. I look forward to the strategic rail review and its consideration of the strategic potential of the rail network the island of Ireland, including the Wexford to Waterford line. I trust this clarifies the position with regard to the Barrow bridge.

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