Dispute holds up key rail upgrades

IARNRÓD ÉIREANN has postponed key upgrading of railway stations in Cork because of an unofficial dispute, which is also holding up track laying on the €105 million Cork-Midleton line.

The company was due to close the Cork-Cobh line last night, for seven weeks, as part of a €5m project which included upgrading 11 platforms and six stations along that route. This closure was due to run in conjunction with the commencement of track laying from the Glounthaune junction to Midleton.

But 14 rail maintenance workers have been mounting a 24-hour picket at the Glounthaune junction since September 23 and show no signs of disbanding it.