[Press Release] Luas - Make reports public.

[Derek Wheeler]

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