'Silent and deadly' Luas dangers hushed up, claims FG
Wednesday April 14 2004
Consultants have recommended to the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Mary Harney, that a Public Safety Authority be established, possibly under the aegis of Health and Safety Authority.
Fine Gael spokesman Gay Mitchell said the Government was keeping the report confidential at a time when people were dying because of unforeseen risks associated with the advent of the Luas.
Yesterday the Department of Transport placed advertisements across the national media warning motorcyclists that tramrails were slippery and that their wheels could become trapped in rail grooves. Two motorcyclists died following accidents on the same stretch of Luas rail track in his constituency alone, Mr Mitchell said.
Around the same time a third motorcyclist was thrown from his machine, while a pedal cyclist had the same treacherous experience. Yet the Luas safety adverts were "bland" and "little more than tokenism," said Mr Mitchell.
And he was backed by the Chairman of the Dail transport committee, Eoin Ryan, who highlighted the advertised message that trams were quiet.
Luas will hit Dublin streets in a matter of weeks. "We must ensure the visually impaired and hard of hearing are not in danger of being struck by one of these 35-tonne trams," said the Dublin South East TD.
"I believe the possibility of an accident of this nature or even death is very real," he added. The Dail Transport Committee has now written to Frank Allen, CEO of the Luas project, to ask for immediate details on warning alerts in trams which could ensure that all pedestrians and other road users are made aware of its presence.
"Trams are deadly machines. They are almost noiseless, 30 metres long and can run at speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour. The widespread concerns must be addressed before the first tram runs on our streets."
Mr Mitchell said there was "a real and growing concern about the safety of the Luas works," as illustrated by the serious and fatal accidents on the rails before any trams had run at all.
"I am calling for the immediate publication of the consultants' report and for the creation of a Public Safety Authority to independently monitor Luas lines and other public safety concerns."
- Senan Molony
