Landslide adds to rail passengers' misery

Rail passengers face further travel chaos tonight after a landslide closed the main line between Wicklow and Wexford.

Thousands of commuters will be forced to endure bus services until the end of the week as engineers attempt to make a track connecting Bray and Gorey safe.

Iarnrod Eireann had already suspended all services from Bray to Greystones in Co Wicklow due to a rock fall at Bray Head on Monday.

But problems on the east coast rail line were compounded after a landslip at an embankment two miles south of Arklow.

Barry Kenny, Iarnrod Eireann spokesman, said the Gorey commuter and Rosslare intercity rail services have been entirely suspended.

“The rail line is on top of an embankment which is between 10 to 15 metres high,” he said.

“Due to the high volume of water in the area in recent times, some of that embankment has given away and affected its stability. Remedial works will be undertaken, and it is estimated the line will remain closed to Gorey until this Sunday.”

Iarnod Eireann said a bus service – which was already shuttling passengers between Bray and Greystones – will now take commuters on the 70 kilometre journey to Gorey, in Co Wexford.

All other Dart services will operate normally, from Howth and Malahide to Bray.

A team of experts are also assessing damage caused by the rockfall near the entrance to the first tunnel on Bray Head to make the line safe.

“However, given the hazards involved, it is expected that this section will remain closed for a number of weeks,” Mr Kenny added.

Meanwhile, AA Ireland warned that roads around the country are wet and at risk of freezing when temperatures plummet overnight.

The Wicklow Gap, Sally Gap and Roundwood also remain impassable after earlier snowfall.