20,000 COMMUTERS A DAY WILL FACE RAILWAY CHAOS; Bridge collapse repairs to take 3mths.

Byline: DEMELZA de BURCA

THOUSANDS of commuters face traffic chaos for three months after the collapse of a rail bridge.

Around 20,000 passengers using the Dublin-Belfast train line will be forced to find alternative transport.

The disruption comes after a 20-metre section of the viaduct gave way at the Broadmeadow Estuary in Co Dublin just after 6pm on Friday.

Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch said yesterday it is crucial the route, which is the country's most important rail line, is up and running as soon as possible.

He added: "The disruption to rail services will inevitably cause traffic disruption as more people take their cars to work." Iarnrod Eireann said the bridge would not reopen for at least three months and it will be carrying out an inquiry.

The rail accident investigation unit of the Department of Transport will also carry out an independent probe.

The Construction Industry Federation yesterday called for all railway bridges across the country to be assessed.

Its director of tendering and contracting Don O'Sullivan said: "Most of these bridges were built in the 19th century. It's the second sudden collapse that we've had in recent years.

"The bridges need to be thoroughly assessed. Where necessary, there needs to be a bridge-strengthening and reconstruction programme undertaken."

Northern rail commuter services, which are used by more than 20,000 people each day, have been worst hit. Iarnrod Eireann said a limited shuttle rail service will operate between Drogheda and Skerries only.

Customers travelling between Dublin city and all stations north of Malahide are advised to travel by Dublin Bus or Bus Eireann services.

Dublin Bus Route 33 will serve Balbriggan, Skerries and Rush and Lusk, while a peak-time Route 33B will operate directly between Donabate station and Dublin city centre.

There will be a bus transfer between Dublin Connolly and Drogheda. Rail tickets will be accepted on these buses.

Enterprise services will operate only between Belfast and Drogheda but Dart services between Malahide and Howth Junction are running normally.

The collapse is the second such incident in the past six years. A bridge gave way at Cahir, Co Tipperary, in 2003 leading to a freight train derailment.

Irish Mirror Comment: Page 8

CAPTION(S):

OFF TRACK Enterprise and, left, AA Roadwatch's Conor Faughnan DISASTER Viaduct collapses into Broadmeadow Estuary in Co Dublin at the weekend