The Railway Safety Programme

The then Minister for Transport, in response to the 1998 IRMS Safety Review, established a high level Railway Safety Task Force in 1999 to address issues therein. This High Level Task Force recommended the implementation of a fifteen year (three five year tranches) Railway Safety Investment Programme. The purpose of the investment is to improve all aspects of safety across the Iarnród Éireann network and to keep risk levels as low as is reasonably practicable.

The first programme (1999-2003) resulted in expenditure of €661 million, the bulk of which was on infrastructural safety investment. The second programme (2004-2008) resulted in expenditure of €510 million and put more emphasis on the safety management systems of Iarnród Éireann.

Over €1 billion has been invested in railway safety since 1999 resulting in a much safer railway network for both passengers and staff. This major investment has resulted in a significant reduction in risk from the physical infrastructure. For example, Iarnród Éireann has renewed approximately 500 miles of track, erected 440 miles of new fencing, replaced and/or renewed over 240 bridges and closed/upgraded over 900 level crossings over the ten year period 1999-2008. Besides improving safety, this investment has also facilitated improved journey times, additional services and passenger comfort throughout the network, by providing a platform for further investment in rolling stock for example. The safety culture in Iarnród Éireann has been enhanced through improved training, the development of company wide standards and the development of management tools such as the risk assessment model and the infrastructure asset management system.

The Railway Safety Programme is being implemented in 3 five-year tranches. The third programme commenced in 2009 and will run until end 2013. The programme provides for total expenditure of €513 million, of which €443 million is targeted at infrastructure investment and almost €70 million is aimed at continued enhancement of safety management systems, including human performance. 

A total of €107 million was spent during 2009. During that year Iarnród Éireann laid 26 miles of track, erected 58 miles of new fencing and carried out upgrading work on 13 bridges. Nine level crossings were closed and upgrading work was carried out on 147 crossings. Repair work was also carried out on the Malahide Viaduct in North Dublin. 

http://www.irishrail.ie/projects/IE_Investment_Plans.asp