IRISH RAIL IS working towards removing seven level crossings on the Cork mainline as it aims to eliminate as many as possible on its rail network. 

The transport company has lodged a railway order with An Bord Pleanála and an oral hearing has been held to eliminate the seven crossings. 

Irish Rail is partnering with An Garda Síochána and the RSA as part of European Safety week this week to raise awareness of level crossing safety. 

It has also released footage of incidents at level crossings and has appealed for renewed vigilance at crossings from all road users including pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users. 

Today, we are hosting Driver education days at level crossings around the country in conjunction with @gardainfo and @RSAIreland

Remember always act safely at level crossings.

ℹ️ https://t.co/H5CRB392gb#AlwaysSafe pic.twitter.com/IQbz4IL5X9

— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) October 26, 2023

In the year to date, there has been 71 incidents at level crossings across the network, of which 30 resulted in crossing damage or injury to crossing user.

The majority of level crossing incidents involve road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers-resulting in damage to the crossing/barriers.

The most frequent locations involved in incidents are:

• Sutton (13 incidents)
• Serpentine (8)
• Sydney Parade (8)
• Lansdowne Rd (7)
• Bray (6)
• Sandymount (5)
• Merrion (4)
• Clonsilla (2)
• Baldoyle (2)

The company reminds users of the onus to use crossings responsibly:

• At automatic crossings – stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash. Never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering.
• At staff operated crossings – respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure your safety and that of rail users. Stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it.
• At user operated crossings – Always stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for your safety and that of others.

Almost 300 people die at level crossings across Europe every year and level crossing accidents account for 1% of road deaths in Europe but 31% of all rail fatalities, Irish Rail said. 

Although Ireland’s record is far stronger than the European average, and there have been no level crossing fatalities since 2010, Irish Rail said vigilance is essential. 

“The number of incidents at level crossings is still too high. In recent months, we have had a number of very worrying incidents and level crossings and we would appeal to all road users to obey the rules of the roads at level crossings. They are for everyone’s safety,” Irish Rail chief executive Jim Meade said. 

Irish Rail said it is continuing to install additional train detection warning systems at User Operated Level Crossings around the country. These measures have now been introduced at 36 user operated level crossings, with a further four to be commissioned in the coming weeks.

There are currently 902 level crossings on the Iarnród Éireann network. These are a combination of automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated accommodation crossings.