Six-month disruption to Waterford train services as flood defence works begin

Iarnród Éireann says weekday train services to and from Waterford will be affected for six months as flood defence and signalling works take place

The works will affect off-peak rail services from Monday to Thursday starting next Monday, August 25.

Train services in Waterford will be disrupted for six months from next week to facilitate works tackling repeated flooding along the line.

Iarnród Éireann said the flood prevention works, undertaken by contractors for Waterford City and County Council (WCCC), will address recurring flooding on the approach to Waterford and ensure the railway service is climate resilient.

The works will affect off-peak rail services from Monday to Thursday starting next Monday, August 25.

The company said the works will take place from 8am to 2.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays from August 25 to November 27, and again from January 5 to March 26 next year.

It said customers and commuters should be aware of the following service alterations from next week:

• The 7.20am and 10.15am Dublin Heuston to Waterford services will terminate in Kilkenny, with bus transfers to Thomastown and Waterford.
• The 11am and 1.05pm Waterford to Dublin Heuston services will have bus transfers from Waterford and Thomastown to Kilkenny.
• The 9.45am. Limerick Junction to Waterford service will terminate at Carrick-on-Suir, with bus transfers to Waterford.

Iarnród Éireann said these changes mean only two of the eight daily services each way between Waterford and Dublin are affected from Monday to Thursday. 

Weekend services will run as normal, and a full schedule will operate throughout December and the New Year period to support city centre traders and tourism.

During the same period, works will also be carried out to install a new electrical signalling system to replace the existing mechanical system.

Iarnród Éireann said the line closure for flood works, part of WCCC's Waterford North Quays development, is “required and unavoidable” and that the programme "seeks to balance the timescale for delivery of the flood defence system with avoiding disruption to the busiest rail services on the route."

Jim Meade, chief executive of Iarnród Éireann said: "The Waterford North Quays project is a transformative one for Waterford and for public transport serving the city. As well as delivering a new integrated transport hub incorporating a relocated Plunkett Station, it will resolve the recurring flooding issues which have disrupted rail services to and from Waterford for many years.

"This is a trend which has worsened with the impact of climate change, so it is far-sighted to incorporate these works in the wider programme.

"While any disruption is regretted, we believe the programme strikes the right balance between the needs of rail customers and the efficient delivery of these crucial flood defence works," he said.