Councillors unite in demanding the re-opening of 'basic amenities' at busy Newbridge train station

Members of Kildare Newbridge Municipal District united to support a motion by Cllr Murty Aspell at Wednesday's area meeting.

After two years, the toilets at Newbridge Railway Station remain closed, despite thousands of commuters using the railway station every week.

Cllr Murty Aspell

"I proposed that we (Kildare Newbridge MD) send a letter to Iarnród Éireann and Shane Ross, Minister for Transport demanding the immediate opening of the toilets at Newbridge train station. Iarnród Éireann claim the toilet facilities were closed owing to 'anti-social behaviour'" said an irate Cllr Aspell (FF).

"In this day and age, it's disgraceful and totally unacceptable to have so many commuters passing through the station every day with no access to toilets. Whether it's elderly persons, children, pregnant women or disabled persons, they are entitled to have this basic amenity available to them.

"Some commuters pay €80 for a weekly return ticket to Dublin; others pay €27 for a daily return trip before 9.30am and €17 after 9.30am. Some also pay for their car parking - and they don't even have access to a toilet at the station!"

Cllr Aspell said the facilities should be re-opened immediately: "If the anti-social behaviour is an issue, why haven't they investigated alternative restrictions i.e. inserting coin slots on the toilet doors, give out tokens to customers or simply have the locks fixed to read the bar codes on purchased train tickets?"

He further expressed concerns that there is currently only one person manning the station in Newbridge and that Iarnód Éireann might end this too, and make the station ticket only.

"After two years, it's a disgrace that a semi-state body can't provide basic amenities for their customers, it goes against all health and safety regulations".

Councillors at Wednesday's meeting unanimously supported Cllr Aspell's proposal and it is understand the letter demanding the re-opening of the facilities has been sent to Iarnod Eireann and Minster Ross.