HC Deb 26 July 1897 vol 51 cc1073-4
MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade has he seen the report on the condition of the Clogher Valley Railway, presented to the Tyrone Grand Jury recently by Mr. Leebody, county surveyor, in which he expresses his regret at being called upon to report that the permanent way is in a very unsatisfactory state, and states that ballast is badly wanted in numerous places, and that both line and top appear to be very carelessly attended to, especially between Ballygawley and Fivemiletown; is he aware that one-third of the permanent way men for the past two months have been employed in taking gravel out of a river at Ballygawley, which is sold to the Great Northern Railway Company, while the remainder were employed at Tynan and Aughnacloy disloading coals, the line from Tynan to Fivemiletown (37 miles) being often left without a man to look after it; and, will any means be taken in this case to give some better security to the travelling public?

MR. RITCHIE

No, Sir. I have not seen the report referred to but the Secretary to the Company telegraphs that:— It is not correct that one-third permanent way staff have been engaged taking gravel at Ballygawley during last two months nor any tine. Only one cargo coal unloaded during but nine months. The statement that at any time line left uncared for is absolutely untrue.

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