[19-1-2007] Vehicle strike at Merrion Gates
 

09:50 Southbound DART stopped at Sydney Parade with an announcement that due to a vehicle strike at Merrion Gates there would be a delay of 20-30 mins. Not sure if Northbound services are also affected, but there's bound to be a knock on effect later.

Online 'real-time DART information' is of course still showing the timetabled times, but then this hasn't worked in months.

Here we go again

Is it fair to say IE are having a mensis horribilis?

They are taking there time, normally they hide a replacement barrier on site

Presumably IR will be seeking damages from the driver for the time the service is down, for the costs to Dublin Bus if they accept tickets in lieu, labour and materials to fix the crossing?

Line is open, delays are due to the need to cross at 5 mph.

There is a CCTV camera specially to catch reg plates

Perhaps they should consider extending the coverage of the CCTV (if its not already done) so they have all-round images of any incident? It should speed up any post-incident inquiries and should be cheap enough since it wouldn't have to be monitored, just reviewed after an incident.

There are three cameras

1) The overall crossing view used by signalling staff to confirm crossing clear
2) One for northbound reg plates
3) One for southbound reg plates

They have reverse angle views and so on

We know that a couple of truckers were given what they deserved in court for hitting a bridge in Portlaoise. Has anyone been hammered for delinquent behaviour at Merrion Gates? At least they can't trot out the pathetic excuse of the road having been raised because of a new coat of tarmac. MAybe they can cite the blinding effects of low Winter sun!