Cork's Ballyrichard residents call for rail bridge after being 'blocked off' for 16 years 

Residents of Ballyrichard More, just off the N25 near Midleton and Carrigtwohill, are calling for a railway bridge to rectify the fact that they have been “blocked off” for 16 years since the rail line re-opened.

Locals Tom and Mary Walsh built their home in 1973, with other homes being built since then. There are currently 20 homes in a cul-de-sac leading from the N25 down to the railway line.

There was formerly a level crossing manned by a local, before the section of the rail line between Midleton and Youghal was closed in 1988.

During this time, they could cross the old railway line easily, but the section from Cork to Midleton was later re-opened in 2009 as part of the Cork suburban rail project, and the end of their road was closed off entirely.

Residents say that their access to Midleton “has been compromised” by the severing of their road to the north when the rail line was re-opened, as well as the increasing traffic volumes and speed on the N25 making pedestrian and cycle links too hazardous.

This has created a situation where their community of 20 houses is isolated to the north and south and is only safely accessed by car.

SERVICE LANE

In 2006 and 2016, there were proposals to modify the N25 to provide a service lane giving access to Midleton from the west, which would have given residents safe pedestrian and cycle links to the town.

However, neither of these proposals have progressed.

Earlier this summer, a public consultation ran on phase two of the Cork area commuter rail programme, which will ultimately provide for trains operating up to every 10 minutes across each of the three commuter lines to Mallow, Midleton, and Cobh.

The non-statutory public consultation outlined proposals including eight new stations for Cork at Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West, and Water Rock, electrification of the rail network, and a new depot at Ballyrichard More.

From when they first moved in to when the railway was closed, Tom explained: “In the past, there was a level crossing, and the man living by the crossing would open and close the line.

“Then, the line was closed and we could pass whenever we wanted.

“Then, the Cork road got congested and they decided to open the railway line again — but they cut us off totally.

“We thought it would go back to how it was before with the level crossing, but they closed the road without us ever being notified about it, and we’re 16 years blocked off now.”

Currently, their road is bordered on one side by the busy N25 and closed off on the other, meaning they can only access their homes, the railway line, and nearby towns by car.

They explained that to try and cycle or walk even to a bus stop on the N25 “you’re taking your life in your hands”, with one resident sharing that they had a friend who was recently killed cycling on that road.

Local resident Sinead Deady said: 

“You could get killed — it’s as simple as that”.

She explained that the speed limit is 100km/h and many cars do more.

She added that there are “RIP signs all over that road” as there are frequently accidents, which leave locals worried it is a loved one or neighbour who has been injured or killed.

Regarding incidents on the road, another resident said: “We will be texting each other to check is everyone OK, or we might come home in a panic that something awful has happened to our family. We can’t live like that.”

RUSH HOUR

The accidents and congestion at rush hour on the road also often mean that cars sometimes drive down their road thinking it is a faster way to their destination, which can make their stretch of road unsafe, and also causes problems when they realise that the street is a dead end and they must all turn around.

They explained that the N25 is a no-go, and they know that is not going to change, but a bridge over the train line would be an easy fix to take them away from the N25 altogether.

As well as the danger of their only way out of their homes now, the small road they live on is not suitable for their needs, they said.

Mr Walsh said:

 “Local people can’t even exercise properly, kids can’t learn to cycle”.

He added that there is a wide age range of people living along the road, including some older people who can now no longer drive.

“There’s plenty of people who are just stuck, and we’re all getting older now. We can’t get the bus back without crossing four lanes of traffic, so we’re totally isolated, despite being so close to Midleton.”

If the bridge was built, they would be able to walk to Midleton as they did before the road was blocked off. They are also within walking distance of the train station, and a new one is set to open even closer to their homes under the proposed plans.

Currently, they must drive to get the train.

They would have to drive to get to the closer station too, which will only be 500m away, they said.

Under the plans currently going through consultation is the new depot, which is set to be placed very close to the end of their road.

Now, the residents feeling that their bridge could easily be built as part of this construction, though they expressed concern that “the depot could be a long way down the line”.

Also in development at the moment is a greenway, but they will not be able to access it without a car — even though it will be right on their doorstep.

Siobhán Walsh said: “If I want to take the dog for a decent walk, I have to get into my car. There’s nothing we can do without our cars, and there are so many lovely walks around Midleton now that we have to drive to.”

One resident said: 

“They’re pushing everyone to cycle or take public transport, but they’re not letting us do it. If we had this bridge we could leave the car at home. Maybe we wouldn’t even need the car.”

Another explained that every house has two or more cars outside it.

“The community was split when the railway came back, it’s further isolating people. Older people can’t walk over to their friends for a cup of coffee, so they don’t see them now,” they added.

Gavin Deady said that they had to live like they were in a rural area, despite being so close to such a big town.

“Physically, we can’t do anything here without a car. It’s crazy to be so close to Midleton and yet it’s too dangerous to walk there.”

The residents said that they feel forgotten about.

“People in Dublin wouldn’t put up with this,” said Mr Walsh. “We feel this is our chance to rectify it.

“They’ve two flyovers built for cows to get cross the fields over the railway line, and nothing for the people. It feels like the cows were prioritised and we weren’t even considered.”

Ms Deady added: “Iarnród Éireann are a tough crowd to be dealing with. They haven’t been listening to us, even though they’re not short the money. It’s about time they did start listening, because we’re not going to take any false promises.”

One man who lives right by the rail line has even offered to give up some of his garden for the construction.

“That will tell you how determined people here are,” said Mr Walsh.

“We just feel that now is our chance — they’re pumping money into changing the railway line, building a greenway, all we want is access to them, and the freedom that would bring.”

Another said: “It’s the freedom of it, we could take the grandkids to town on the train or go visit people in Carrigtwohill without needing the car.”

Residents have put in submissions to the public consultation, which closed on June 23.

Tom Walsh and his wife Mary wrote in theirs: 

“We consider that the provision of this bridge should be a top priority, and should be constructed in advance of any other works to reconnect our street to the infrastructure and connections available.

“Future works to the greenway, train station, rail depot, and any other improvements would only add to the success of this bridge, but we request that it be completed at the earliest opportunity to overcome some of these challenges that we, and our neighbours, face on a daily basis.”

SUPPORT

Cork East Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, who has met with the residents, told The Echo: “I fully support the efforts of the Ballyrichard residents to have a bridge built over the railway line at the end of their cul-de-sac, which would eventually connect them by cycle/footpath to Midleton.

“This would be in keeping with our national planning framework, our county development plan, climate action plan, and transport strategy.

“The residents are currently at the mercy of a lethal stretch of road on the N25 if they want to cycle or walk to Midleton. 

"The bridge would make a significant difference to their quality-of-life, safety, and connection to the town.”

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann told The Echo: “We are grateful for all the submissions that we received as part of public consultation number one on the emerging preferred option for the Cork stations project.

“The submission received by the Ballyrichard More residents and all submissions will be carefully considered by the design team.

“These submissions will help inform the ongoing design for the project.”

They added: “Any changes that will be incorporated will be included in public consultation number two on the preferred option, and the community and all members of the public will once again be invited to consider what we are putting forward at that stage. 

"These submissions will once again help inform the draft railway order, which will ultimately be submitted for An Coimisiún Pleanála. This will be subject to statutory public consultation.”