Rail Users Ireland Forum - Cork Cobh Closure Abandoned

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- - Cork Cobh Closure Abandoned (http://www.railusers.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=4773)

This closure may be delayed. Today's Irish Examiner says that IÉ line inspection staff in Cork are picketing the line at Glounthaune, preventing the new track from being brought in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tralph (Post 36737)

This closure may be delayed. Today's Irish Examiner says that IÉ line inspection staff in Cork are picketing the line at Glounthaune, preventing the new track from being brought in.

NOW what's wrong with them?? More track to inspect = more overtime. I despair.....

LC

What they don't say is there is no driver available to drive the train with the rails onto the site anyway.

The gardai where down on Wednesday to remove people.

If a picket is mounted at Cork station, it will be passed by other staff

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Examiner

Picket halts work on rail track

By Sean O’Riordan
CONSTRUCTION of the largest commuter railway project outside of Dublin has been put in jeopardy by an unofficial picket that is preventing Iarnród Éireann from laying the track.

More than a dozen members of the company’s line inspection staff have mounted the picket on the Cork-Midleton line, which is due to open next spring at a cost of €105 million.

Earlier this month, the rail workers went to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) claiming it was their job to lay the track. However, the LRC decided the work should be carried out by the appointed contractor and staff at Iarnród Éireann’s new works’ department.

Following concern that line inspection staff might interrupt the work, Iarnród Éireann management returned to the LRC again last week to reaffirm the ruling.

Despite the confirmation, around 13 workers mounted a round-the-clock picket for the past three days on the existing railway track at Glounthaune.

It has prevented a special train, loaded with track, from entering the construction area.

“A number of individuals have broken ranks with their union and mounted this picket. This is an unofficial protest which shows little regard for their colleagues, the taxpayer and the community which is awaiting the reopening of this commuter line,” an Iarnród Éireann spokesman said.

He said those involved in the protest had been taken off the payroll following “their quite unacceptable action”.

The spokesman said: “Every day this happens will delay the opening date of this much-needed commuter service.”

Iarnród Éireann management said they were also concerned the picket will extend to disrupt planned works on upgrading the Cork-Cobh railway line. The company is proposing to start modernising facilities along the line next month.

The project includes upgrading 11 platforms at six stations along the route, and improve accessibility for mobility-impaired customers.

Costing €5m, that work will take more than a month to complete. “Those involved have indicated that they will behave in a similar fashion to stop that work from happening,” the Iarnród Éireann spokesman added.

The company has not indicated what it intends to do to remove the picket. However, it has been in contact with workers union SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) in an attempt to defuse the situation.

http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer...256-qqqx=1.asp

The ever helpful corparate (non)communications department strikes again

Quote:

Revised Cork - Cobh Timetable by Corporate Communications

A revised Cork - Cobh Timetable will be in operation from 4th October - 9th November inclusive. This is to facilitate major infrastructure upgrade works on the Cork Cobh Line Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience these essential works may cause

Source: Corporate Communications

PDF Document

Of course the PDF link is a 404 not found http://www.irishrail.ie/qaiarnrod/im...d/news/434.pdf

Various other permutations fail as well

Online timetable planner is still showing the full (2007) timetable

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=350

Quote:

Cork to Cobh line: improvement works, October to November 2008 by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann is to undertake major works on the Cork-Cobh commuter line this October and November, to modernise station platforms and other facilities along the route.

As a result, Cork-Cobh rail services will be suspended from 3rd October 2008 to 10th November 2008 to facilitate this important work. Substitute bus services will be provided on the line during this time.

The works on the Cork-Cobh line include:
- the upgrading of 11 platforms at 6 stations along the route, which will improve accessibility of rail services for mobility-impaired customers
- laying of cable ducting for signalling, electrical and telecoms
- facilitating construction of a new overbridge at Woodhill, including a retaining wall at the approach to the bridge
- coastal defence and landslip protection works at key sites
- installation of a watermain for Cork County Council
- signalling adjustments to facilitate the reopening of the Cork-Midleton line

Iarnród Éireann apologise to customers for the inconvenience these works will cause. However, by completing these works in a short timeframe, we can ensure that a lengthy period of intermittent service disruption is avoided, and that improvements to platforms and other important infrastructure work can be delivered.

The works represent an investment of €5 million in the route, and are part of a wider package of investment in Cork’s commuter rail network.

Work is well advanced on the reopening of Glounthaune-Midleton line, which will be completed in 2009. In addition, new stations are planned at Dunkettle, Kilbarry and Blarney.

The works on the Cork-Cobh line will ensure the height levels on platforms are raised to ease access to modern commuter railcars on the route, improving accessibility for all customers, but particularly the mobility-impaired.

Details of substitute bus services for the duration of the works will be confirmed shortly.

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/images/upload/news/350.pdf

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccos (Post 36526)

In th Peoples Republic Area Metro there is always a conductor with the train who can be asked when the train arrives if he would be so kind to "permit us to board zis train as ve have kein teekets and ze offez is clozed".

Paddy in Germany: Look the ticket machine is out of order and the office closed and I can't board the fecking train without a ticket:eek: .
Paddy spots train conductor hanging out of train to blow his whistle and says "ware can i get a bleedin ticket?:confused: " "You may board ze train herr paddy and ve vill sell you einz teeket":D replies conductor. "donkey shine" replies paddy:)

"Donkey Shine"

Priceless!

Updated

Quote:

Cork to Cobh line Upgrade works Deferred until further notice by Corporate Communications

Upgrade works due to commence on the Cork - Cobh line this evening, 3rd October have now been deferred until further notice. Scheduled train services will operate as normal on Cork - Cobh line

PDF Document

This is presumably because there is a picket at Glountouhane being mounted by disgruntled Irish Rail permanent way staff who seem to think they have a God-given right to do the Midleton track-laying job. They appear to have disregarded all Labour Court determinations on the matter. It would be a firing offence in the real world.

What is it with Cork and Irish Rail industrial relations?

I'm told there has been some movement and we might be seeing something next week. As with all things Irish Rail you just don't know.

The call off of the work was very last minute

Today's Irish Examiner has a quote from an IÉ spokeswoman to say that the workers will be sacked for gross misconduct and legal action taken if they don't get off the site today. They've reportedly been taken off the payroll already.

Of course all that'll accomplish is another strike in Cork.

I've heard that, equally I've heard the whole thing could be sorted by Tuesday