No DARTs between Pearse & Dun Laoghaire for a number of days

dazmetron

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=1226

Southside DART & Rosslare disruption: No trains operating Pearse to Dun Laoghaire by Corporate Communications

21.30hrs, Thursday 27th October

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that there is serious disruption to southside DART services and Rosslare / Gorey rail services.

The line is closed between Pearse and Dun Laoghaire due to flood damage in the vicinity of a bridge pier at the Dodder Bridge, to the south end of Lansdowne Road Station.

Services affected are:

DART: DART services will operate Howth/Malahide to Pearse, and Dun Laoghaire to Bray/Greystones. There will be no DART service between Pearse and Dun Laoghaire. Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for customers affected.

Rosslare/Gorey: Rosslare and Gorey services will operate Rosslare/Gorey to Bray, with bus transfers between Bray and Dublin Connolly.

Other commuter: Other commuter services which operate from Drogheda or Maynooth to Dun Laoghaire and Bray will now only operate from Drogheda/Maynooth to Pearse. Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for customers travelling south of Pearse.



The length of time this disruption will continue for is currently being assessed. However, it will be for a number of days at least.

More detailed service information will be provided as soon as possible.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.



Bridge and damage

The line has been closed due to damage to the ground in the vicinity of a pier on the Dodder Bridge at the south end of Lansdowne Road Station.

This area was flooded on Monday of this week, during the torrential rainfall in the Dublin area.

At least two large trees which fell were swept downstream by the River Dodder and were lodged under the bridge, causing debris to build up at and under the bridge.

The bridge is a single span structure, and as part of new safety protocols adopted following the investigations into the Malahide Viaduct accident in 2009, a detailed inspection is automatically carried out of structures affected by a major flood event as soon as possible.

This inspection carried out by divers, has shown this evening damage to the ground in the vicinity of a support pier of the bridge, as a result of this week's flood. No such damage was present at its previous underwater inspection in October 2010.

When this was reported this evening, Iarnród Éireann closed the structure as a precautionary measure, to allow repair works to be carried out.

A remedial works programme to repair the flood damage is now being devised, and this will confirm timescales for this disruption.

Cookie_Monster

why does one bridge put so many stations out of action? Is there no closer one the DL suitable as a terminus and crossover?

Devilman40k

That has since been changed,no DART services between Sydney Parade and Grand Canal Dock. Rosslare services running to Bray only with bus transfers.

gurramok

This is why, snapped on Tuesday. That build up of water caused flooding in Ballsbridge.

LXFlyer

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/travel_alerts.asp?action=view&news_id=1226

Southside DART & Rosslare disruption: No trains operating Grand Canal Dock to Sydney Parade by Corporate Communications
Friday 28th October, 06.30hrs

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that there is serious disruption to southside DART services and Rosslare / Gorey rail services.

The line is closed between Grand Canal Dock and Sydney Parade due to flood damage in the vicinity of a bridge pier at the Dodder Bridge, to the south end of Lansdowne Road Station.

Services affected are:

DART: DART services will operate Howth/Malahide to Grand Canal Dock, and from Sydney Parade to Greystones (note Southside service will be reduced in frequency, operating every 30 minutes, to the scheduled Greystones DART timetable). There will be no DART service between Grand Canal Dock and Sydney Parade. Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for customers affected.

Rosslare/Gorey: Rosslare and Gorey services will operate Rosslare/Gorey to Bray, with bus transfers between Bray and Dublin Connolly.

Other commuter: Other commuter services which operate from Drogheda or Maynooth to Dun Laoghaire and Bray will now only operate from Drogheda/Maynooth to Pearse. Dublin Bus will accept rail tickets for customers travelling south of Pearse.

The length of time this disruption will continue for is currently being assessed, and it is hoped to confirm this today. However, it will be for a number of days at least.

More detailed service information will be provided as soon as possible.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for the inconvenience caused.

Bridge and damage (updated Thurs evening 27th October)
The line has been closed due to damage to the ground in the vicinity of a pier on the Dodder Bridge at the south end of Lansdowne Road Station.

This area was flooded on Monday of this week, during the torrential rainfall in the Dublin area.

At least two large trees which fell were swept downstream by the River Dodder and were lodged under the bridge, causing debris to build up at and under the bridge.

The bridge is a single span structure, and as part of new safety protocols adopted following the investigations into the Malahide Viaduct accident in 2009, a detailed inspection is automatically carried out of structures affected by a major flood event as soon as possible.

This inspection carried out by divers, has shown this evening damage to the ground in the vicinity of a support pier of the bridge, as a result of this week's flood. No such damage was present at its previous underwater inspection in October 2010.

When this was reported this evening, Iarnród Éireann closed the structure as a precautionary measure, to allow repair works to be carried out.

A remedial works programme to repair the flood damage is now being devised, and this will confirm timescales for this disruption.

LXFlyer

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

why does one bridge put so many stations out of action? Is there no closer one the DL suitable as a terminus and crossover?

The crossovers were removed at Merrion sometime ago and have not been reinstated. The engineers would require a weekend possession to reinstate them. One can only surmise that someone baulked at closing the railway for a weekend to do that. The folly of that decision is now coming home to roost.

Hence the first crossover south of that bridge is at Dun Laoghaire which means that there is only a 30 minute frequency between trains.

KD345

gurramok wrote: »

This is why, snapped on Tuesday. That build up of water caused flooding in Ballsbridge.

Does that suggest the bridge has been unsafe since Monday/Tuesday?

gurramok

KD345 wrote: »

Does that suggest the bridge has been unsafe since Monday/Tuesday?

Yes, they only inspected it last evening(Thursday). The trees hit it Monday night.

Losty Dublin

The problem is not from debris itself but from possible damage to the ground beside one of the bridge's support pillar. If, after examination, this isn't found to impede the pillar foundation it won't require any significant repair work; if there is problems then it could well be a big job. This bridge was seriously damaged by flooding several times over the 180 year history of the line, it being replaced at least twice, so it is known as a problematic spot over the years.

Run_to_da_hills

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The problem is not from debris itself but from possible damage to the ground beside one of the bridge's support pillar. If, after examination, this isn't found to impede the pillar foundation it won't require any significant repair work; if there is problems then it could well be a big job. This bridge was seriously damaged by flooding several times over the 180 year history of the line, it being replaced at least twice, so it is known as a problematic spot over the years.

If it was a known recurring problem why wasn't there a switcher track placed between Sandymount and Lansdown? They could easily lash one together during this current down time.

Losty Dublin

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

If it was a known recurring problem why wasn't there a switcher track placed between Sandymount and Lansdown? They could easily lash one together during this current down time.

It's a very short section of track to fit in a crossover and ample turnback space to accommodate an 8 car DART or DMU set. There is barely half a mile between Lansdowne and Sandymount so at least 200 metres beyond each station is required with a level crossing in the middle of it to complicate matters. It can be done but it's awkward and expensive to anticipate the off chance of an act of God.

lil5

Wondering if there will be the usual knock-on effect on DB.
Not enough running time for inbound and outbound services on 4 and 7 routes leading to buses going out-of-service or getting regulated away.

The RTPI for stop 4725 (OJ - Upr O'Connell St / Parnell St) showing the grand total of 3 buses (@15:20):

15:34 7-Loughlinstown
16:18 4-Monkstown Av
16:19 7-Loughlinstown

Jehuty42

lil5 wrote: »

Wondering if there will be the usual knock-on effect on DB.
Not enough running time for inbound and outbound services on 4 and 7 routes leading to buses going out-of-service or getting regulated away.

I couldn't get on a 7 heading southbound(totally full) at 7:30am on Nassau Street this morning, so I think there are definitely capacity issues.

BabyBirch

This is a nightmare, I was 40 minutes late for work this morning because I had to wait so long for a 7, then two arrived together, with another two due within five minutes.

I'm now waiting for my boyfriend to meet me in town for dinner and he waited half an hour for a 7 when the live info suddenly changed to say the next was in 22 minutes. He then walked to the 4 stop and is now en route in a packed bus that hasn't picked up any passengers since Blackrock.

I see Irish Rail just tweeted that the disruptions will last up to 2 weeks

n97 mini

Why is it the rules are different for customers who are on the Dublin rail system, than they are for those on intercity services?

Despite far less people relying on Intercity, customers get bus transfers laid on, whereas commuters are told to use existing Dublin Bus services.

AlekSmart

Jehuty42 wrote: »

I couldn't get on a 7 heading southbound(totally full) at 7:30am on Nassau Street this morning, so I think there are definitely capacity issues.

You bet your sweet bippy there are capacity "issues" in relation to the DART closure.

It is a physical impossibility to remove 200 74 seater buses (14,800 seats) from any transport system and then expect that capacity to be magicked up when a system failure occurs.

The reality is that our authorities do not have any plan B in place for occurences such as this.....It's not cost effective to maintain spare capacity we will be told.

However the greater equation also has to involve consideration of other impediments to responding to the emergency,such as the highly restrictive effects of the Working Time Directive (STRICTLY enforced by Bus Atha Cliath) which means that even with vehicles available and drivers willing to operate nothing can be provided if those drivers are 2 minutes over their allowed working time.

It's high time for a complete review of the WTD,something which is already underway in the greater European Public Transport industry,as was evident at the major Bus and Coach showcase in Kortrijk Belgium,where a major campaign to have the Working Time Directive amended in relation to mobile workers was launched.

In the meantime,the DART situation has most certainly exposed the fraility of the Network Direct principle in stark relief.

It should also be borne in mind that DART failures of a greater or lesser extent are quite common,the only real difference here is the scale and timeline.

icdg

AlekSmart wrote: »

You bet your sweet bippy there are capacity "issues" in relation to the DART closure.

It is a physical impossibility to remove 200 74 seater buses (14,800 seats) from any transport system and then expect that capacity to be magicked up when a system failure occurs.

The reality is that our authorities do not have any plan B in place for occurences such as this.....It's not cost effective to maintain spare capacity we will be told.
.

Wednesday morning on the Lucan road corridor was a perfect example of this - train services were suspended for some time between Maynooth and Clonsilla. 66 buses were filling up in Maynooth with train customers, leaving passengers stranded in Leixlip village reliant on 66As and 66Bs (these buses having also to cope with Leixlip train passengers), and passengers in Lucan village on 25s and 67s.

God help anyone whose regular rail commute was from Maynooth/Leixlip to Dublin 15 - there is no bus connection other than via An Lar.

Anyway, if that's the disruption cause by an hour or so's suspension of services, what would happen if services were suspended for a fortnight?

I'm sure it won't help that there is a major rugby match in the Aviva Stadium next Friday night - wonder what the plan for getting people out of the area is if Lansdowne Road station is still closed? (Let them walk will probably be the attitude).

starviewadams

Would IE not be able to hire private coaches etc if Dublin Bus are already stretched to capacity and won't be able to cope with more passengers on their routes that are the only alternative to the DART?

Rashers72

BabyBirch wrote: »

I'm now waiting for my boyfriend to meet me in town for dinner and he waited half an hour for a 7 when the live info suddenly changed to say the next was in 22 minutes. He then walked to the 4 stop and is now en route in a packed bus that hasn't picked up any passengers since Blackrock.

I see Irish Rail just tweeted that the disruptions will last up to 2 weeks

I was outside the RDS at 6pm. Despite numerous buses (4's and 7's) counting down on the electronic displays, only 2 buses arrived in the 30mins I waited there, and only 1 person got on. Usual story- 1/2 empty upstairs and packed downstairs. Gave up and walked to Grand Canal Dock. Then found out there were 30min delays to Malahide bound DARTS. Another bad day for Irish Rail :mad:

Rashers72

Per Irishrail website:
Southside DART & Rosslare disruption: No trains operating Grand Canal Dock to Sydney Parade by Corporate Communications
Friday 28th October, 18.15hrs
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that there is serious disruption to southside DART services and Rosslare / Gorey rail services.
The line is closed between Grand Canal Dock and Sydney Parade due to flood damage in the vicinity of a bridge pier at the Dodder Bridge, to the south end of Lansdowne Road Station. The works to repair this damage, and resulting disruption, will continue for up to a fortnight.
I really hope Irish Rail get some proper alternative for the 2 weeks. Fair enough that they did not get it right today. But they proved during the Malahide viaduct fiasco that Dublin Bus could offer a good alternative, but only if offering a dedicated service .i.e. frequent buses only running between Pearse st, down Merrion by Grand Canal Dock, Lansdowne Road, close to Sandymount, and onto Sydney Parade. 5-10 buses would make a big difference, especially if Dublin City Council helped with traffic lights prioritisation for the buses....but I doubt they will....:mad:

AlekSmart

Rashers72 wrote: »

Per Irishrail website:
Southside DART & Rosslare disruption: No trains operating Grand Canal Dock to Sydney Parade by Corporate Communications
Friday 28th October, 18.15hrs
Iarnród Éireann advises customers that there is serious disruption to southside DART services and Rosslare / Gorey rail services.
The line is closed between Grand Canal Dock and Sydney Parade due to flood damage in the vicinity of a bridge pier at the Dodder Bridge, to the south end of Lansdowne Road Station. The works to repair this damage, and resulting disruption, will continue for up to a fortnight.
I really hope Irish Rail get some proper alternative for the 2 weeks. Fair enough that they did not get it right today. But they proved during the Malahide viaduct fiasco that Dublin Bus could offer a good alternative, but only if offering a dedicated service .i.e. frequent buses only running between Pearse st, down Merrion by Grand Canal Dock, Lansdowne Road, close to Sandymount, and onto Sydney Parade. 5-10 buses would make a big difference, especially if Dublin City Council helped with traffic lights prioritisation for the buses....but I doubt they will....:mad:

You're dead right Rashers....Dublin City Council will do no such thing because ...."it's nothing to do with us".....the Gardai will similarly say..."Well it's a civil matter,we have no input".....Bus Éireann will say it's a Dublin issue and they have no remit here....no single Government Department will accept any degree of responsibility...and the NATIONAL Transport Authority will tell you it's remit is devising and impleminting a broad-transport-strategy rather than becoming involved in the operational end of things....so....is there ANYBODY...willing to do something to address what is a very serious Public Transport problem ?

It is somewhat incredible that after God knows how many Consultants Reports,reviews,studies,and consultative discussions we still have NO clearly defined operational plan for dealing with ANY major Public Transport event...

From where I sit ...chaos is a good word.....:mad:

murphaph

It's a joke.

Here in Berlin there are currently weekend closures on the circle line. Every Friday regular as clockwork outside every entrance to every directly affected station (and ones close by) there are information boards put up (German and English!) to direct passengers to the adequate bus replacement services. Temporary bus stops (clearly marked with "SEV" which is a universally understood acronym for "Rail replacement transit") are erected each Friday outside the stations and timetabled buses run the route instead. All the timetables are inputted into the on line journey planner which is then fully aware of the extra time taken (and route) to complete the journey.

In addition to the boards at station entrances, the exact details of the closures and replacement services are obviously online BUT also on the good old fashioned noticeboards on station platforms, with maps of closed sections, timetables of replacement services and so on. They really can do no more to get the information across.

DB (German railways) have their own buses for such events but contract more if needed. If the tram/U Bahn system is being worked on then the same company runs the buses and they have extra capacity to cover it.

Dubliners should start demanding more of their taxes are spent in Dublin on improving public transport.

Carawaystick

murphaph wrote: »

It's a joke.


Dubliners should start demanding more of their taxes are spent in Dublin on improving public transport.

I think all our taxes are spoken for, Dubliners should demand more of ye're german taxes are spent improving our transport

ardmacha

Closures, whether of motorways or railways, can be modelled in advance. A complete plan can be generated where services end at certain stations and since all of this can be done in advance, putting the plan into operation should be relatively simple. There is no excuse.

AlekSmart

murphaph wrote: »

It's a joke.

Dubliners Berliners should start demanding more of their taxes are spent in Dublin on improving public transport.

Yes I agree with Carawayschtick,I've amended the last line for you Murphaph....;)

The native's are still too busy waiting for the upturn in the property market....:eek:

xOxSinéadxOx

So went to get the train from Maynooth to Coolmine this morning to be told it was going to be 20mins late due to engineering works at connolly(?) making me late for work. So I look at the website now to see what the story is tomorrow to make sure I'm not late for work tomorrow and it says it will be running an amended timetable today and tomorrow. Anybody know where is this amended timetable? I can't find it! IE have been seriously wrecking my head this last week.
The complete lack of information from them is insane.

n97 mini

You could try asking in the station in Maynooth, tho the chances are they don't know either.

Losty Dublin

xOxSinéadxOx wrote: »

So went to get the train from Maynooth to Coolmine this morning to be told it was going to be 20mins late due to engineering works at connolly(?) making me late for work. So I look at the website now to see what the story is tomorrow to make sure I'm not late for work tomorrow and it says it will be running an amended timetable today and tomorrow. Anybody know where is this amended timetable? I can't find it! IE have been seriously wrecking my head this last week.
The complete lack of information from them is insane.

It is on their site, it's the first item on the General News list to the right of the homepage. The relevant page is a little long but it's 3/4 of the way down.

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=1219

Ossory Road Works - Connolly - Clontarf Road, and Drumcondra Stations.

Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October

Due to these works, the following service arrangements will apply on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October:

Northside DART services: A regular Saturday/Sunday DART service will operate with some minor alterations to/from Malahide/Howth/Clontarf Road.

An hourly shuttle train service will operate between Clontarf Road and Connolly Stations.

Customers may also avail of Dublin Bus scheduled services:
130 from Clontarf Road and 29A, 31, 31B, 32, 32B from Howth Road.

Dublin Bus will accept all valid rail tickets on the above mentioned services.

Southside DART services: A regular Saturday/Sunday DART service will operate with some minor alterations to/from Connolly/Bray/Greystones.

Dublin-Belfast services will operate to the normal schedule.

Dundalk and Drogheda services will operate with an amended timetable and will operate to and from Connolly Station only.

Maynooth and M3 Parkway-Dublin services will operate with an amended timetable, and Drumcondra Station will be closed.

Edit, evidentially it was posted prior to the Lansdowne Road bridge closure.

xOxSinéadxOx

Yes I saw that. It doesn't say what the amendments are though.
Do you think the journey planner takes into account these amendments or not?

LXFlyer

Yes it does.

the groutch

Rashers72 wrote: »

I was outside the RDS at 6pm. Despite numerous buses (4's and 7's) counting down on the electronic displays, only 2 buses arrived in the 30mins I waited there, and only 1 person got on. Usual story- 1/2 empty upstairs and packed downstairs.

is that **** really still going on?