In a joint operation, Roads Service and Northern Ireland Railways will replace existing walls and fences over the bridge with a high standard safety barrier. This work, valued at £1.4million, involves strengthening of the bridge. The width of carriageway and footway will also be increased.
The work was prompted after a study of the risks of vehicle incursions onto the railway track following an accident where a vehicle landed on a railway track in Selby, Yorkshire, in 2001 in which ten people lost their lives.
After this crash the Department of Transport recommended that each road over rail site on the entire rail network be assessed for risk to reduce the chances of a road vehicle reaching a railway track. Of the 124 sites in the north that have been assessed, 18 were identified for treatment and Finaghy Road North was considered to be the highest risk.
Unfortunately, despite looking at various alternatives, Roads Service will be forced to close the bridge during July and August when the work is carried out this year. Due to the restricted width of the bridge, the work cannot be carried out safely when it is open to traffic.
Existing train services will operate as normal and Finaghy halt will remain operational throughout the works. Some work can only be carried out at night to avoid disruption to rail services.
Diversionary routes via Blacks Road and Stockman's Lane will be well signposted and the closures advertised well in advance.
A pedestrian route will be retained adjacent to the bridge via a temporary footbridge spanning the railway line at all times. However, the temporary footbridge may not be accessible for some people, therefore a shuttle bus will operate (Mon to Sat, 8am - 8pm) between Ladybrook Park and Finaghy Cross Roads to cater for those with mobility difficulties.
The following Public Information Days are being held to provide the opportunity for inspection of the plans. Staff will be on hand to explain the proposals and answer any questions :
- Andersonstown Library, Slievegallion Drive - Monday 21 April 2008, 1:30 - 8:00pm
- Finaghy Library, Finaghy Road South - Wednesday 23 April 2008, 1:30 - 8:00pm
Information leaflets are being dropped to local residents and businesses and details of road closures will be advertised in the local press well in advance. Updated information will be available on the Roads Service website
at or can be obtained by speaking to a member of the project team on 028 9025 3169.
Notes to Editors:
- The £4million programme for post Selby road/rail safety measures commenced in 2005 and 14 of the 18 sites have already been completed. The remaining sites will be completed by 2009.
- Improvements have been made to road over railway bridges as well as parallel road/railway sites such as alongside the Sydenham By Pass.
- Media queries to: Emma Flynn Davies, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, 028 9054 0372.
