[Press Release] Luas - Make reports public.

Derek Wheeler · 22-01-2006, 21:52

Press Release

Date : 22nd January 2005

Issued by : Platform 11 Press Office

Contact : Derek Wheeler (PRO) 086 345 26 51

Recent revelations concerning the state of the Luas track are a major cause
of concern. Despite claims otherwise failure of track supports is a real and
major safety concern and may lead to the track being unable to cope with the
stress induced by the expansion and contraction of the rail leading to gauge
variations or the track buckling totally. It is of utmost importance that
these defects be repaired but equally that the root cause is determined.

The contractor has admitted they knew about these issues prior to passenger
services. Serious questions must be asked of all the parties involved as to
how the defects occurred in what is a well proven track technology used
extensively elsewhere. It is becoming clear that the installation was
defective, that quality control and overall supervision was lacking.

Why did both lines open despite the contractor, the RPA, the Department of
Transport and the railway inspectorate all being aware that the
infrastructure was defective surely it was in the interests of all that both
lines where in perfect condition upon opening. Did political pressure to get
both lines open put the contractor and the RPA under pressure to push ahead
irrespective of the need of remedial works. Did the RPA prevent the
contractor from performing repairs before the lines opened?

If the report is so damning of the track technology in tight corners "In the
very sharp curves the Edilon design is highly overstressed" Why was it used,
more to the point where is the proof that what was built was safe, since it
is clear the independent engineering assessment from Graz University of
Technology in Austria is not favourable. This view is supported by Professor
Eugene O'Brien of UCD.

Serious questions must now be asked of the contractor and also of the RPA.
Based on the delays, cost overruns and more recent stories of major
structural problems in the Luas track it is clear the RPA have failed
miserably to manage the Luas project and project management and supervision
of works is not to the high standards which the Dublin public deserve.

Disruption to passengers is inevitable, with only 5 hours each night to
perform the works. The corkelast material takes time to set, the last thing
we need is a rush job, in light of the growing severity and scale of the
problem it is likely extensive closures will be required. Single line
working is unlikely to be of use as it would interfere and be a potential
safety hazard to those performing the works on the adjacent track.

In light of the massive proposed expansion of Luas under Transport 21 it is
essential that public confidence be restored not only in the system but in
its managers and engineers. Platform 11 calls on the responsible parties and
government to take the following steps:

1) That the RPA issue a clear statement detailing the exact locations of all
known edilon block failures together with the safety and risk management
procedures they have applied to ensure continued safe operation.

2) The all safety reports including those produced by Graz University be
made publicly available, so we the public, the passengers of Luas can make
up our own minds independent of the media spin. Platform 11 notes safety
audits of Irish Rail are publicly available and that under the Transport Act
2001 the RPA are required to "publish regular reports on the safety of light
railway and metro infrastructure" No such reports have been yet published

3) That the 2001 Rail Safety bill be enacted urgently to empower the Rail
Safety Commission to conduct investigations and enforcement procedures as
well as to allow the full force of the law to be applied to those parties
found to be in breech. The Rail Safety Commission should be tasked to
perform a full audit and investigation into the design, safety, maintenance
and supervision standards of the entire Luas system.

4) An Oireachtas inquiry is of little use as the Luas contractor has refused
to attend in the past. A public inquiry should be held into the actions of
all parties (RPA, Contractors, Ministers) in the late and over budget
delivery of what is now proven to be a defective light rail system. Several
hundred million euro of taxpayers money was spent and the public have a
right to know where it all went wrong so there is no repeat. Lessons must be
learnt now before more Luas lines are built.

ENDS

Mark Gleeson · 22-01-2006, 22:18

The legal

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transport Act 2001

Section 2
11.—(1) The Agency shall have the following functions:
(a) to secure the provision of, or to provide, such light railway and metro railway infrastructure as may be determined from time to time by the Minister;
(b) to monitor and publish regular reports on the safety of light railway and metro infrastructure;
(c) to enter into agreements with other persons in order to secure the provision of such railway infrastructure whether by means of a concession, joint venture, public private partnership or any other means; and
(d) to acquire and facilitate the development of land adjacent to any railway works subject to an application for a railway order under this Act where such acquisition and development contributes to the economic viability of the said railway works.
(2) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order confer on the Agency such additional functions in relation to public transport by rail or road as, from time to time, he or she considers appropriate.
(3) The Agency may exploit commercial opportunities arising from its functions.
(4) The exploitation of such commercial opportunities may be carried out by a railway undertaking on behalf of the Agency.
(5) The Agency may receive income (including any amount, right, interest, benefit or profit) arising from, or make payments (or otherwise provide consideration) in respect of functions referred to in subsections (1) and (3) or such additional functions assigned to it under subsection (2).
(6) Where the Agency enters into an agreement with a person and in connection with the agreement another person makes a financial loan to, or provides any other form of finance for, a party to the agreement, the Agency shall be deemed to have the power to enter into an arrangement with that other person.
(7) The Agency may only act as the operator of a railway where authorised by the Minister by order.
(8) The Minister may, by order, amend or revoke an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA55Y2001S11.html

PaulM · 22-01-2006, 23:54

Press release is online at

http://www.platform11.org/media/pres...&no=pr_02.html

22-01-2006, 21:52	#1
Derek Wheeler Registered user Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kildare Posts: 1,555	[Press Release] Luas - Make reports public. Press Release Date : 22nd January 2005 Issued by : Platform 11 Press Office Contact : Derek Wheeler (PRO) 086 345 26 51 Recent revelations concerning the state of the Luas track are a major cause of concern. Despite claims otherwise failure of track supports is a real and major safety concern and may lead to the track being unable to cope with the stress induced by the expansion and contraction of the rail leading to gauge variations or the track buckling totally. It is of utmost importance that these defects be repaired but equally that the root cause is determined. The contractor has admitted they knew about these issues prior to passenger services. Serious questions must be asked of all the parties involved as to how the defects occurred in what is a well proven track technology used extensively elsewhere. It is becoming clear that the installation was defective, that quality control and overall supervision was lacking. Why did both lines open despite the contractor, the RPA, the Department of Transport and the railway inspectorate all being aware that the infrastructure was defective surely it was in the interests of all that both lines where in perfect condition upon opening. Did political pressure to get both lines open put the contractor and the RPA under pressure to push ahead irrespective of the need of remedial works. Did the RPA prevent the contractor from performing repairs before the lines opened? If the report is so damning of the track technology in tight corners "In the very sharp curves the Edilon design is highly overstressed" Why was it used, more to the point where is the proof that what was built was safe, since it is clear the independent engineering assessment from Graz University of Technology in Austria is not favourable. This view is supported by Professor Eugene O'Brien of UCD. Serious questions must now be asked of the contractor and also of the RPA. Based on the delays, cost overruns and more recent stories of major structural problems in the Luas track it is clear the RPA have failed miserably to manage the Luas project and project management and supervision of works is not to the high standards which the Dublin public deserve. Disruption to passengers is inevitable, with only 5 hours each night to perform the works. The corkelast material takes time to set, the last thing we need is a rush job, in light of the growing severity and scale of the problem it is likely extensive closures will be required. Single line working is unlikely to be of use as it would interfere and be a potential safety hazard to those performing the works on the adjacent track. In light of the massive proposed expansion of Luas under Transport 21 it is essential that public confidence be restored not only in the system but in its managers and engineers. Platform 11 calls on the responsible parties and government to take the following steps: 1) That the RPA issue a clear statement detailing the exact locations of all known edilon block failures together with the safety and risk management procedures they have applied to ensure continued safe operation. 2) The all safety reports including those produced by Graz University be made publicly available, so we the public, the passengers of Luas can make up our own minds independent of the media spin. Platform 11 notes safety audits of Irish Rail are publicly available and that under the Transport Act 2001 the RPA are required to "publish regular reports on the safety of light railway and metro infrastructure" No such reports have been yet published 3) That the 2001 Rail Safety bill be enacted urgently to empower the Rail Safety Commission to conduct investigations and enforcement procedures as well as to allow the full force of the law to be applied to those parties found to be in breech. The Rail Safety Commission should be tasked to perform a full audit and investigation into the design, safety, maintenance and supervision standards of the entire Luas system. 4) An Oireachtas inquiry is of little use as the Luas contractor has refused to attend in the past. A public inquiry should be held into the actions of all parties (RPA, Contractors, Ministers) in the late and over budget delivery of what is now proven to be a defective light rail system. Several hundred million euro of taxpayers money was spent and the public have a right to know where it all went wrong so there is no repeat. Lessons must be learnt now before more Luas lines are built. ENDS

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22-01-2006, 23:54	#3
PaulM Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 826	Press release is online at http://www.platform11.org/media/pres...&no=pr_02.html