Train line reopens following repairs
THE train service between Arklow and Gorey reopened on Monday following subsidence on the line near Inch.
Last week, Irish Rail were forced to close the line between Arklow and Gorey to undertake major work following Storm Emma.
After the Beast from the East and Storm Emma, the ground became saturated causing damage to a culvert beneath the line, approximately 6km south of Arklow.
‘We were aware that this was a risk some weeks previous and had been monitoring the area and so, after the storm, we checked it and had some remedial works carried out. The line was initially closed temporarily on Monday, March 5. Service was restored with speed restrictions but it became apparent that significant work was still required, which meant we had to close it again to facilitate this,’ said Iarnród Éireann communications manager Barry Kenny.
While crews worked to repair the damage last week, rail passengers had to avail of a bus service running in place of the trains.
Services affected included all the Arklow to Connolly trains, Arklow to Rosslare Europort, and Arklow to Wexford. Transfers were put in place to Gorey, where passengers were able to board the scheduled trains for the duration of their journeys.
Arklow to Connolly services saw passengers connect to the DART in Bray to continue on to Dublin city centre.
On Monday Irish Rail confirmed that the Rosslare line between Arklow and Gorey had reopened.