[Article] Serious flaws found in Luas system

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Irish Independent

The real story on Luas repair
Sir - I refer to the extensive reports last week in your paper in relation to Luas. It is remarkable that a story centring on an issue with no safety implications or cost implications or significant disruption implications can prompt contributions from no less than four journalists and the dedication of the editorial section. This says much about your editorial policy.

I am extremely disappointed at the level of inaccuracy in many of the articles, particularly your editorial, despite the fact that your journalist was afforded full assistance during the course of seven phone calls by three members of the RPA management.

Your editorial states that Luas "looks set to cost perhaps another €100m in running repairs". You stretch your own credibility given that Treacy Hogan on page one refers to flaws costing "as much as €10m to fix".

It will not be necessary to rip up any track, contrary to your claim that one-third of Luas track will need to be ripped up. Whilst the type of track construction concerned represents one-third of all Luas track, less than 5% will require modification.

Your front page photo showing a worker on the Luas line on Middle Abbey Street is completely misleading in that it suggests that the polymer issue arises on city-centre streets. This is not the case and this was made very clear to your journalist.

The graphic on page five again misrepresents the extent/location of the problem areas and illustrates a type of track construction that is unaffected. No remedial works are required between Adelaide Road and St Stephen's Green.

It also shows that the area between Smithfield and Rialto is affected. This is totally false despite the fact that your reporter was advised accordingly. The confusion is further compounded by the feature on the resident of Rialto who is annoyed at the disruption the repairs may cause in her locality. This unfounded concern was fuelled by your journalist.

You state that "if the investigation by the Institute for Railway Engineering at the University of Graz had not revealed the potential gravity - the situation would probably have gone unattended to". I also made it patently clear to Treacy Hogan that the problem first came to light in April 2004 as a direct consequence of quality-control procedures put in place by RPA.

Finally, I take great exception to your assertion that "it now appears that passengers' safety has been compromised from the very start" and that there are "God-like" figures in the RPA. The RPA has professional staff who never compromise passenger safety, who will make the correct decisions regardless of external influences, alleged or otherwise and who will continue to act in the best interests of the taxpayer.
Michael Sheedy,
Director, Light Rail,
RPA

© Irish Independent 2006
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=13523