Seabed erosion 'caused' rail crash
Seabed erosion is suspected of being behind the collapse of a railway viaduct on one of Ireland’s busiest lines, it was revealed yesterday.
Initial tests on the Malahide estuary crossing on the main Dublin to Belfast track suggest recent low tides and heavy rains also combined to create a near catastrophe.
The bridge, which carries more than 90 trains a day, fell into the sea last Friday moments after rush-hour commuter services carrying hundreds of passengers passed over it.
Iarnrod Eireann said a preliminary examination showed a small breach occurred in the seabed, possibly in recent weeks, which changed the flow and pressure of the water around the viaduct piers.
“Recent low tides, coupled with major rainfall on Wednesday, would have seen the volume and speed of water flowing out of the estuary increasing, causing water pressures to increase, with ultimately the forces of water pressure widening the breach quickly,” said Barry Kenny, Iarnrod Eireann spokesman.
“The effect on the causeway plateau and seabed would ultimately result in the sudden and catastrophic undermining of the pier supports from below water level, resulting in the collapse of the pier on Friday evening.”
The company said this was the primary line of inquiry while its investigation was ongoing, but stressed other factors or possibilities have not been ruled out.
Other issues being examined include tides, rainfall and climatic issues, inspection and maintenance reports and procedures as well as the role of Iarnrod Eireann staff.
The collapse of the railway bridge has caused travel chaos and uncertainty for thousands of commuters.
The affected section of track is expected to be closed for at least three months.
Passenger organisation Rail Users Ireland (RUI), which said it was a miracle people weren’t killed, has demanded urgent tests on all railway bridges around Ireland. An inspection team will carry out detailed inspections of bridges and viaducts over the network.
