Automated Level Crossings Connolly - Maynooth Line

Solberg2005

I have noticed that the last manual operated level crossing gates is at Ashtown Station between Maynooth and Connolly. Will this crossing at some point be upgraded to an automated one in the future? Would make sence from a safety and operational point of view if all the other crossings have been upgraded in the past.

LXFlyer

Solberg2005 wrote: »

I have noticed that the last manual operated level crossing gates is at Ashtown Station between Maynooth and Connolly. Will this crossing at some point be upgraded to an automated one in the future? Would make sence from a safety and operational point of view if all the other crossings have been upgraded in the past.

There are also manual gates at Clonsilla - worked from the cabin.


The plan is to eliminate Clonsila, Coolmine and Ashtown crossings and replace them with bridges.

metrovick001

Is the bridge at Porterstown considered Clonsilla's replacement - it has elevated most of the congestion there?
Very tricky spot for a new bridge.

LXFlyer

metrovick001 wrote: »

Is the bridge at Porterstown considered Clonsilla's replacement - it has elevated most of the congestion there?
Very tricky spot for a new bridge.

A good question!!

L1011

The bridge at Porterstown hasn't even led to Porterstown being closed due to local political interference - a few mammies moaning about a tiny diversion (that's quicker if a train doesn't pass).

Carawaystick

There was a young woman being supervised there last week working the crossing gates. If new staff are being trained to work the gates, automation is down the priority list I'd say.

Jamie2k9

Carawaystick wrote: »

There was a young woman being supervised there last week working the crossing gates. If new staff are being trained to work the gates, automation is down the priority list I'd say.

They were hiring new staff over the summer. It costs over 1 million per crossing and Intercity routes will get priority for safety reasons. Next auto one to be commissioned is the newly installed one on Ballina branch.

n97 mini

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They were hiring new staff over the summer. It costs over 1 million per crossing and Intercity routes will get priority for safety reasons. Next auto one to be commissioned is the newly installed one on Ballina branch.

There are manual level crossings in Dublin on a busy commuter line, yet the Ballina branch is being upgraded?! WTF!

LXFlyer

n97 mini wrote: »

There are manual level crossings in Dublin on a busy commuter line, yet the Ballina branch is being upgraded?! WTF!

There have been several near fatal accidents on the Ballina branch - are you suggesting that nothing should be done about that?

The aim is to remove the level crossings on the Maynooth line - it would be a waste of money to automate them and then remove them.

Jamie2k9

n97 mini wrote: »

There are manual level crossings in Dublin on a busy commuter line, yet the Ballina branch is being upgraded?! WTF!

Comes down to safety, upgrading Maynooth wouldn't do a lot to trains as any benefit would require all them done together.

Cork line is also the bussiest yet only 2 of around 6 are automatic.

Mayo has been a particular problem with people and crossings over recent years.

Manaul crossings on Intericty routes have to stay closed significantly longer another factor.

n97 mini

lxflyer wrote: »

There have been several near fatal accidents on the Ballina branch - are you suggesting that nothing should be done about that?

Can you provide more information? Not sure automating a level crossing makes it safer? Again perhaps if you could provide specifics.

lxflyer wrote: »

The aim is to remove the level crossings on the Maynooth line - it would be a waste of money to automate them and then remove them.

Including the likes of Clonsilla?

n97 mini

"Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Mayo has been a particular problem with people and crossings over recent years.

Again, I don't know specifics, but would increased safety measures not be more cost effective?

In addition is the Ballina branch likely to survive much beyond Enda Kenny's tenure, as patronage seems very low?

afatbollix

Its the freight on the Ballina line. Think they travel at night and you cant be getting a lad out of bed at 2am like. Sure he would need another wage for that.

Jamie2k9

n97 mini wrote: »

Again, I don't know specifics, but would increased safety measures not be more cost effective?

In addition is the Ballina branch likely to survive much beyond Enda Kenny's tenure, as patronage seems very low?

It's not going to close, up to 6 freight services daily. Alan Kelly's line is still around so there is hope for all routes.

Its the freight on the Ballina line. Think they travel at night and you cant be getting a lad out of bed at 2am like. Sure he would need another wage for that.

Not quiet that late but one crossings won't save much, a few others as well.

Losty Dublin

afatbollix wrote: »

Its the freight on the Ballina line. Think they travel at night and you cant be getting a lad out of bed at 2am like. Sure he would need another wage for that.

Mayo freight trains only run between 7AM and 8PM. The few staffed crossings are manned between 7AM until 10PM, the hours that trains run on the Ballina branch.

Staffing wise it takes 14 shifts a week to man a gate on the branch and on a 24/7 363 days a year.

n97 mini

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Alan Kelly's line is still around so there is hope for all routes.

Alan Kelly isn't so I wouldn't be so sure!

marno21

n97 mini wrote: »

There are manual level crossings in Dublin on a busy commuter line, yet the Ballina branch is being upgraded?! WTF!

There shouldn't be any level crossings full stop on this line - they should be removed rather than wasting money on automating them. Especially with "DART Expansion" on the way.

Hilly Bill

metrovick001 wrote: »

Is the bridge at Porterstown considered Clonsilla's replacement - it has elevated most of the congestion there?
Very tricky spot for a new bridge.

No, one was to be built between clonsilla and hansfield and join up with the lucan Road.

Hilly Bill

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

They were hiring new staff over the summer. It costs over 1 million per crossing and Intercity routes will get priority for safety reasons. Next auto one to be commissioned is the newly installed one on Ballina branch.

They weren't taken on for the gates. New gate keepers were hired not seasonally.

savagethegoat

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Mayo freight trains only run between 7AM and 8PM. The few staffed crossings are manned between 7AM until 10PM, the hours that trains run on the Ballina branch.

Staffing wise it takes 14 shifts a week to man a gate on the branch and on a 24/7 363 days a year.

i'm confused, Is it 7am to 10pm or 24/7 or have I the wrong end of the stick?

Jamie2k9

savagethegoat wrote: »

i'm confused, Is it 7am to 10pm or 24/7 or have I the wrong end of the stick?

When there is no trains running overnight there is no staff present at crossings between last/first services daily.

Losty Dublin

savagethegoat wrote: »

i'm confused, Is it 7am to 10pm or 24/7 or have I the wrong end of the stick?

Apologies; I should have said that is for a 16 hour/7 basis and not a 24/7 basis.

nowecant

lxflyer wrote: »

The plan is to eliminate Clonsila, Coolmine and Ashtown crossings and replace them with bridges.

Is there any list of Level Crossings which they plan on getting rid of, perhaps in order of preference?

I know they finally got rid of the one on the old ratoath road, reilly's bridge. But I am supprised in the delay in planning/starting works on the others

LXFlyer

nowecant wrote: »

Is there any list of Level Crossings which they plan on getting rid of, perhaps in order of preference?

I know they finally got rid of the one on the old ratoath road, reilly's bridge. But I am supprised in the delay in planning/starting works on the others

No idea but funding issues would be the primary issue (bridges don't come cheap),, followed by (in the case of Coolmine) local objections.

AlanG

The draft Fingal development plan actually has the objective of preserving the level crossings at porterstown and coolmine and also preventing a new bridge just west of coolmine so it is likely the IR will have a battle on their hands.
https://consult.fingal.ie/en/system/files/materials/2018/Draft_Sheet13.jpg

items 121, 125 and 126.
https://consult.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/user-files/1/Draft_Map_Based_LocalObjectives_0.pdf

MrMorooka

Wow, that's ridiculous.

L1011

SDCCs equivalent plan has objectives to open all-traffic junctions on to what will be motorway when TII get the finger out. It won't happen.