Subject: 20130710 to Aine Doyle Kilkenncy Co Co re ADD-104-13 NIAH Ref 12326016
I refer to the attached letter which quotes your email address for queries. I write on behalf of CIÉ the owners of the sections of railway quoted in the letter and Iarnród Éireann the Infrastructure Managers for same. I have a query in relation to the structure quoted as reference ADD/104/13 and NIAH Ref 12326016. The text and the photo supplied for this bridge show a rail over road bridge. The map and grid references refer to a different structure which is a rail over river bridge. The NIAH website makes the same mistake. Due to this error and the obvious lack of due diligence or research into this structure, Iarnród Éireann regard the notice relating to this structure (whichever it may be) as being invalid. If you wish to continue with your proposed listing of either structure then I would suggest that the notice should be re-issued in its entirety. Please ensure that I am copied on any such re-issue.
Regards, Nick West
Subject: 20130731 to Kilkenny Co Co re Proposal to List UBKW105 KCC Ref ADD-096-13 NIAH Ref 12326001 -Mullinavat
Date: 23 August 2013 16:05:08
To whom it may concern.
I refer to your letter proposing to add the above structure to the register of protected structures in County Kilkenny.
I write on behalf of CIÉ the owners of the sections of railway quoted in the letter and Iarnród Éireann the Infrastructure Managers for same.
I wish to object to the proposal to list this structure for the following reasons:
· The structure is not unique. There are 13 other similar masonry arch bridges under the Kilkenny Waterford Line within County Kilkenny let alone those bridges on other lines for example the Limerick Waterford Line which has 2 such masonry arches within Kilkenny County alone.
· This bridge is not a relic for exhibition but is a functioning bridge on an operational railway. There is a conflict between Iarnród Éireann’s obligation to maintain the bridge in this context and the obligation to maintain a listed structure. This conflict becomes evident where an incident occurs where repairs need to be expedited in the interests of both railway and public safety. One such example might be where a vehicle strikes the arch of the bridge and the repair needs to undertaken immediately in order to prevent collapse of the structure. In this context it is essential that the bridge can be repaired immediately without being hindered by planning constraints.
· The planning authority is reminded that public utilities and authorities require from time to time to cross railway bridges with public infrastructure including but not limited to footpaths, cycleways, watermains, gas pipes etc. Iarnród Éireann consider that it may be inappropriate to allow such developments in the vicinity of a listed structure and may therefore withhold permission on that basis.
These observations are made in the interests of safety in operation of the railway and we recommend that the above points taken into account in the exclusion of this structure from the Protected Structures list in the Draft Kilkenny County Development Plan 2014-2020.
20130731 to Kilkenny Co Co re Proposal to List UBKW78 KCC Ref ADD-014-13 NIAH Ref 12312005 - Bennettsbridge
To whom it may concern.
I refer to your letter proposing to add the above structure to the register of protected structures in County Kilkenny.
I write on behalf of CIÉ the owners of the sections of railway quoted in the letter and Iarnród Éireann the Infrastructure Managers for same.
I wish to object to the proposal to list this structure for the following reasons:
· The structure is not unique. There are 13 other similar masonry arch bridges under the Kilkenny Waterford Line within County Kilkenny let alone those bridges on other lines for example the Limerick Waterford Line which has 2 such masonry arches within Kilkenny County alone.
· This bridge is not a relic for exhibition but is a functioning bridge on an operational railway. There is a conflict between Iarnród Éireann’s obligation to maintain the bridge in this context and the obligation to maintain a listed structure. This conflict becomes evident where an incident occurs where repairs need to be expedited in the interests of both railway and public safety. One such example might be where a vehicle strikes the arch of the bridge and the repair needs to undertaken immediately in order to prevent collapse of the structure. In this context it is essential that the bridge can be repaired immediately without being hindered by planning constraints.
· The planning authority is reminded that public utilities and authorities require from time to time to cross railway bridges with public infrastructure including but not limited to footpaths, cycleways, watermains, gas pipes etc. Iarnród Éireann consider that it may be inappropriate to allow such developments in the vicinity of a listed structure and may therefore withhold permission on that
basis.
These observations are made in the interests of safety in operation of the railway and we recommend that the above points taken into account in the exclusion of this structure from the Protected Structures list in the Draft Kilkenny County
Development Plan 2014-2020.
20130731 to Kilkenny Co Co re Proposal to List OBKW77 KCC Ref ADD-011-13 NIAH Ref 12312001 - Bennettsbridge
To whom it may concern.
I refer to your letter proposing to add the above structure to the register of protected structures in County Kilkenny.
I write on behalf of CIÉ the owners of the sections of railway quoted in the letter and Iarnród Éireann the Infrastructure Managers for same.
I wish to object to the proposal to list this structure for the following reasons:
· The structure is not unique. There are 5 other similar masonry arch bridges over the Kilkenny Waterford Line within County Kilkenny let alone those bridges on other lines for example the Limerick Waterford Line which has 9 such masonry arches within Kilkenny County alone.
· This bridge is not a relic for exhibition but is a functioning bridge on an operational railway. There is a conflict between Iarnród Éireann’s obligation to maintain the bridge in this context and the obligation to maintain a listed structure. This conflict becomes evident where an incident occurs where repairs need to be expedited in the interests of both railway and public safety. One such example might be where a vehicle strikes the parapet of the bridge and the repair needs to undertaken immediately in order to prevent further incursions of vehicles onto the railway or the collapse of debris into the path of trains. In this context it is essential that the bridge can be repaired immediately without being hindered by planning constraints.
· The planning authority is reminded that public utilities and authorities require from time to time to cross railway bridges with public infrastructure including but not limited to footpaths, cycleways, watermains, gas pipes etc. Iarnród Éireann consider that it may be inappropriate to allow such developments in the vicinity of a listed structure and may therefore withhold permission on that
basis.
These observations are made in the interests of safety in operation of the railway and we recommend that the above points taken into account in the exclusion of this structure from the Protected Structures list in the Draft Kilkenny County Development Plan 2014-2020.
First Name:
Nick
Last Name:
West
Name of Organisation or Group:
Iarnród Éireann
on Thu, 11/07/2013 - 12:00am admin
