[2-2-2008] Bray Greystones Closed

[Mark Gleeson]

DART Services currently suspended between Bray and Greystones due to rockfall. by Corporate Communications

Monday 2nd February, 13.00hrs

Iarnród Éireann advises passengers that DART services between Bray and Greystones are suspended until further notice due to rockfall.

Bus Transfers will be in operation.

Please note: The 13.05hrs Connolly to Rosslare service will operate.

Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience caused.

That vanished and was replaced by this

BRAY TO GREYSTONES RAIL LINE CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL ON BRAY HEAD by Corporate Communications

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that DART services to Greystones, and Gorey Commuter and Rosslare Intercity services, face disruption due to the closure of the rail line between Bray and Greystones. This closure is required due to rockfall close to the entrance of the first tunnel on Bray Head, which has the potential to fall on the rail line. Bus transfers will operate between Bray and Greystones for all DART services from now until further notice. All other DART services will operate normally, from Howth/Malahide to Bray. Gorey commuter services and Rosslare Intercity services will be part substituted by bus from 16.00hrs onwards. Further details will be confirmed shortly. Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused.

So I don't get this the 13:05 to Rosslare is running despite the rockfall

[Mark Gleeson]

BRAY TO GREYSTONES RAIL LINE CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL ON BRAY HEAD by Corporate Communications

UPDATE: 15.00hrs, 2nd February 2009

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that DART services to Greystones, and Gorey Commuter and Rosslare Intercity services, face disruption due to the closure of the rail line between Bray and Greystones.

This closure is required due to rockfall close to the entrance of the first tunnel on Bray Head, which has the potential to fall on the rail line.

Bus transfers will operate between Bray and Greystones for all DART services from now until further notice. All other DART services will operate normally, from Howth/Malahide to Bray.

Gorey commuter services and Rosslare Intercity services will be part substituted by bus from 16.00hrs onwards. Service details are as follows:

16.40 Connolly to Gorey: train to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

17.25 Connolly to Enniscorthy: train to Bray, bus Bray to Enniscorthy

18.37 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: train to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

19.23 Gorey to Connolly: cancelled

20.05 Enniscorthy to Connolly: bus Enniscorthy to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

17.40 Rosslare Europort to Connolly: train Rosslare Europort to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, train Bray to Connolly (train continues onward to Drogheda)

Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused. It is expected this disruption may continue for a number of days - further details will be updated as soon as possible.

[Mark Gleeson]

Curiously the afternoon Gorey Maynooth train has just rolled past me, curious that for a closed line, seems like they are recovering the train back to Dublin leaving the folks in Wicklow with no early morning train tomorrow

[ThomasJ]

Not the best day for this to happen.

From AA Roadwatch

*WEXFORD* Conditions remain treacherous around Enniscorthy following a collision so take care. Icy conditions remain on the N11 at Ferrycarrig, around Clonroche and Kiltealy. * Conditions are dangerous around Gorey. Take particular care on the Gorey Bypass, the Arklow, Carnew and Courtown Rds. Take extreme care. *WICKLOW* Take care on the N11 and N81 due to icy conditions. Snow is also causing problems around Glencree.

* Heavy snowfall around Arklow; take extreme care. * Avoid the Wicklow/Rathdrum Rd (R752) as it's very icy, particularly at Glenealy.

[Mark Gleeson]

BRAY TO GREYSTONES RAIL LINE CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL ON BRAY HEAD: UPDATE by Corporate Communications

UPDATE: 17.00hrs, 2nd February 2009

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that DART services to Greystones, and Gorey Commuter and Rosslare Intercity services, face disruption due to the closure of the rail line between Bray and Greystones.

This closure is required due to rockfall close to the entrance of the first tunnel on Bray Head, which has the potential to fall on the rail line.

DART

Bus transfers will operate between Bray and Greystones for all DART services from now until further notice. All other DART services will operate normally, from Howth/Malahide to Bray.


Gorey / Enniscorthy / Rosslare Europort

Gorey commuter services and Rosslare Intercity services will be part substituted by bus. Service details are as follows:

Monday 2nd February

16.40 Connolly to Gorey: train to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

17.25 Connolly to Enniscorthy: train to Bray, bus Bray to Enniscorthy

18.37 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: train to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

19.23 Gorey to Connolly: cancelled

20.05 Enniscorthy to Connolly: bus Enniscorthy to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

17.40 Rosslare Europort to Drogheda: train Rosslare Europort to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, train Bray to Connolly (service to Drogheda will start on schedule from Pearse)


Tuesday 3rd January

06.00 Gorey to Connolly: Bus Gorey to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

05.35 Rosslare Europort to Dundalk: Train Rosslare to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, Train Bray to Connolly to Dundalk

07.40 Rosslare Europort to Connolly: Bus Rosslare to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

13.00 Rosslare Europort to Maynooth: Train Rosslare to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, DART Bray to Connolly (service to Maynooth will start on schedule from Dun Laoghaire)

14.48 Gorey to Connolly: Bus Gorey to Bray, DART Bray to Connolly

17.40 Rosslare Europort to Drogheda: train Rosslare Europort to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, train Bray to Connolly (service to Drogheda will start on schedule from Pearse)

19.23 Gorey to Connolly: cancelled

20.05 Enniscorthy to Connolly: bus Enniscorthy to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

05.44 Arklow to Rosslare Europort: bus transfer

06.31 Drogheda to Rosslare Europort: Train Drogheda to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

11.35 Connolly to Gorey: DART Connolly to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

13.05 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: DART Connolly to Bray, bus Bray to Rosslare Europort

16.40 Connolly to Gorey: train to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

17.25 Connolly to Enniscorthy: train to Bray, bus Bray to Enniscorthy

18.37 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: train to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused. It is expected this disruption may continue for a number of days - further details will be updated as soon as possible.

Far too many bus transfers here

[essoII]

Unless there has actually been structural damage to the line I honestly can't see why this landslide will shut the line between Greystones and Bray tomorrow and possibly the next day. This is a massive disruption for Greystones residents including myself...is there a chance the line could open tomorrow?

[Thomas Ralph]

Chances are looking bad. Our reports indicate that the line is not actually blocked but there is a risk of loose rocks falling on trains unless secured.

[Mark Gleeson]

To be honest this could be the end of the Rosslare line

The exact location is about 25 minutes walk from Bray station just before the first tunnel, the rock face is almost vertical at that point, its only accessible on foot. Bray Head is strange by virtue of the fact the rock strata are at a 45 degree angle not nicely layered on top of each other so they just slide off

Lengthy closure expected of Bray to Greystones line, due to rockfall at Bray Head by Corporate Communications

UPDATE: 10.00hrs, 3rd February 2009

Iarnród Éireann advises customers that DART services to Greystones, and Gorey Commuter and Rosslare Intercity services, face disruption due to the closure of the rail line between Bray and Greystones.

This closure is required due to rockfall close to the entrance of the first tunnel on Bray Head, which has the potential to fall on the rail line.

Due to this, and the instability of the cliff face above the rail line, it is expected that this disruption will continue for a significant period of time. The line will remain closed for the remainder of this week at the very least, with a much longer closure possible. It is expected further estimates will be confirmed later today.

For the duration of the closure of the Bray-Greystones line, the following daily service arrangements will apply:

DART

Bus transfers will operate between Bray and Greystones for all DART services from now until further notice. All other DART services will operate normally, from Howth/Malahide to Bray.


Gorey / Enniscorthy / Rosslare Europort

Gorey commuter services and Rosslare Intercity services will be part substituted by bus. Service details are as follows:

06.00 Gorey to Connolly: Bus Gorey to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

05.35 Rosslare Europort to Dundalk: Train Rosslare to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, Train Bray to Connolly to Dundalk

07.40 Rosslare Europort to Connolly: Bus Rosslare to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

13.00 Rosslare Europort to Maynooth: Train Rosslare to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, DART Bray to Connolly (service to Maynooth will start on schedule from Dun Laoghaire)

14.48 Gorey to Connolly: Bus Gorey to Bray, DART Bray to Connolly

17.40 Rosslare Europort to Drogheda: train Rosslare Europort to Greystones, bus Greystones to Bray, train Bray to Connolly (service to Drogheda will start on schedule from Pearse)

19.23 Gorey to Connolly: cancelled

20.05 Enniscorthy to Connolly: bus Enniscorthy to Bray, train Bray to Connolly

05.44 Arklow to Rosslare Europort: bus transfer

06.31 Drogheda to Rosslare Europort: Train Drogheda to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

11.35 Connolly to Gorey: DART Connolly to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

13.05 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: DART Connolly to Bray, bus Bray to Rosslare Europort

16.40 Connolly to Gorey: train to Bray, bus Bray to Gorey

17.25 Connolly to Enniscorthy: train to Bray, bus Bray to Enniscorthy

18.37 Connolly to Rosslare Europort: train to Bray, bus Bray to Greystones, train Greystones to Rosslare Europort

Please note bus transfers will serve all intermediate stations en route.

Iarnród Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused.

[shweeney]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

To be honest this could be the end of the Rosslare line

hyperbole much, Mark? Bear in mind this section of line once fell into the sea and the victorians managed to fix it. Now I'm not crediting IE with any sort of Victorian-levels of expertise or ingenuity, but securing rock-faces is a fairly common task for engineers the world-over, I'm sure its solvable.

how long was that line in Norn Iron closed for last year, it was a similar issue wasn't it?

[Mark Gleeson]

I've walked around Bray Head many times in recent years, there has been a massive acceleration in the coastal erosion, there isn't any space to move. There have been far too many close calls with trains stopping short of rockfalls

Only long term alternative is to bore a new tunnel from Bray to Greystones, about 3.5km in length

Its going to take several days if not weeks to sort this mess out, Bus Eireann are going to make a killing with the new timetable and passengers are not going to come back when the line reopens

[shweeney]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I've walked around Bray Head many times in recent years, there has been a massive acceleration in the coastal erosion, there isn't any space to move. There have been far too many close calls with trains stopping short of rockfalls

Only long term alternative is to bore a new tunnel from Bray to Greystones, about 3.5km in length

probably be much cheaper to cover over the existing track at the vulnerable points (disclaimer - I am not an engineer!)

Its going to take several days if not weeks to sort this mess out, Bus Eireann are going to make a killing with the new timetable and passengers are not going to come back when the line reopens

passengers from Greystones certainly are going to come back as the DART, slow and all as it is, is substantially quicker and more comfortable than Dublin Bus. South of Greystones I think a substantial proportion of commuters already use BE. The 1725 Enniscorthy commuter train (probably the busiest on the line) discharges most of its passengers in Bray and Greystones.

[Mark Gleeson]

For reference the exact location http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=...cl=1&encType=1

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

I've walked around Bray Head many times in recent years, there has been a massive acceleration in the coastal erosion, there isn't any space to move. There have been far too many close calls with trains stopping short of rockfalls

Only long term alternative is to bore a new tunnel from Bray to Greystones, about 3.5km in length

probably be much cheaper to cover over the existing track at the vulnerable points (disclaimer - I AM an engineer!)



That was my first thought 'shweeney'. The line wouldnt warrant any expenditure on tunnelling. Just takes some ingenuity.

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Mark

probably be much cheaper to cover over the existing track at the vulnerable points (disclaimer - I AM an engineer!)

The actual track bed is a big problem as the sea eats away at it, a fortune has been spent on coastal defense works

Long term the only way to reduce journey times and increase capacity is a new tunnel, that needs to be looked at now, not much point looking at it when the engineers come back one day and say they have to close permanently

Rockfall -> derailment -> train 50 feet drop head first into the sea

[Mark]

Cheers for the link Mark. The site is more inaccessible than I thought. Maybe expecting some ingenuity from IE was a mistake...

Bringing precast units to that area be it by sea or road seems quite impossible. Everything will have to come by rail and also fit through the preceding tunnels. Get your thinking hats on boys!

I still don't see tunnelling as an option at the moment given the expense but examining the feasibility of it is no harm. It need not be too long but just to link back with the line when it cuts inland.

[shweeney]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Long term the only way to reduce journey times and increase capacity is a new tunnel, that needs to be looked at now, not much point looking at it when the engineers come back one day and say they have to close permanently

you're talking about a 2-mile+ tunnel. It would cost an astronomical amount.

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by shweeney

you're talking about a 2-mile+ tunnel. It would cost an astronomical amount.

Straightforward straight single track tunnel through a solid enough rock with no stations or funny bits, given the number of tunnel boring machines and trained people who will be standing around post metro/interconnector it wouldn't be half as expensive as you might think

Interconnector was 1.4-1.8 billion for 5.4km with 5 stations and twin tunnels, probably get change out of 300 million for Greystones job

It will have to happen sometime, its 92 years since the last major works on the line to deal with the problems

[shweeney]

Originally Posted by Mark

I still don't see tunnelling as an option at the moment given the expense but examining the feasibility of it is no harm. It need not be too long but just to link back with the line when it cuts inland.

problem is it never cuts back inland - the line hugs the cliffs from the end of the long-tunnel (greystones end) all the way into bray. to get away from the cliffs you'd have to have one tunnel right the way through.

[shweeney]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Straightforward straight single track tunnel through a solid enough rock with no stations or funny bits, given the number of tunnel boring machines and trained people who will be standing around post metro/interconnector it wouldn't be half as expensive

half as expensive is still pretty f***ing expensive to connect up a relatively small commuter town. You'd have to double-track it as well, no point perpetuating the existing problems...

*gets out crayons*

[essoII]

Originally Posted by shweeney

half as expensive is still pretty f***ing expensive to connect up a relatively small commuter town.

You cant just say that the tunnel is for Greystones commuters alone! You're forgetting the entire catchment of passengers south of Bray all the way along the Rosslare line. If this sort of disruption is going to continue at a stage where rock fall is happening annually, a feasibility study for a new route through or round Bray Head should be undertaken.
It's a very good point that the expert knowledge in tunneling soon to come from the dublin rail tunnel projects could vastly reduce the cost of carrying out tunneling work inbetween Bray and Greystones.