[tigger1962]

not nice

A STARK warning that the entire viaduct north of Malahide may have to be replaced, resulting in years of disruption to Dundalk commuters, emerged yesterday ( Tuesday)

Louth County Councillor Mark Dearey revealed the 'very worrying possibility' had been gleaned from former Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent.

'He uses the Northern rail line several times a day, and has been keeping in close contact with engineers who are investigating the collapse of the bridge at the Broadmeadow Estuary.'

The Minister of State had contacted Cllr Dearey yesterday to relay the 'worst possible scenario' that had emerged. 'Engineers are saying that if their initial assessment is correct that sea bed erosion led to the partial collapse of the viaduct then there is a strong possibility that other areas of the viaduct have been compromised,' said Cllr Dearey.

'If this is true, we are talking about years of disruption, and it doesn't bear thinking about the severe impact this will have on the local economy in Louth and across the North East.'

He added that as the viaduct was built in 1844, 'The day may have come when we are looking at the need for it to be re-built.'

Iarnrod Eireann stated on Monday evening that erosion of the seabed under the rail viaduct has been identified as the primary line of inquiry into its partial collapse.

Investigating engineers have learned that over recent weeks a small breach occurred in a causeway plateau within the seabed, which would have resulted in changes to water flow, with increased water pressure on the area.

'Engineers are now assessing if there is degradation in other areas of the viaduct, and if there is, we will urgently need to look at the long term contingency plans for the DundalkDrogheda-Dublin commuter network.'

- Olivia RYAN