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Irish Rail will extend the Dart network from 50km to over 150km, adding new stations and frequent services every 10 minutes, while pursuing compulsory land purchases for alignment and electrification works.
Expansion of Dart line aims to serve numerous communities with services at least every 10 minutesThe compulsory purchase order process includes formal letters witha legal “Notice to Treat” issued from Monday onwards.
Irish Rail is seeking land to improve the alignment of the railway, and for access during construction works associated with electrification. Solicitor James MacGuill, who acted in several landmark cases, dies aged 63It will mostly involve parts of individual land holdings, including commercial and residential property. A spokeswoman said that in some cases it may be temporary to facilitate site access. A number of rights of way across the railway would also be closed.
Dart+ West is one element of a suite of measures designed to grow the existing Dart network from 50km in length to over 150km, through the electrification and upgrading of existing lines. It will serve Ashtown, Pelletstown, Broombridge, Castleknock, Coolmine, Clonsilla, Navan Road Parkway, Drumcondra, Leixlip, Maynooth and Hansfield, Dunboyne and the M3 Parkway. It aims to provide Dart services at least every 10 minutes.
Irish Rail is also seeking to close or alter level crossings at Ashtown, Coolmine, Clonsilla, Porterstown, Blakestown and Barberstown. A new station is to be provided at Spencer Dock. Speaking on Monday, Irish Rail chief executive Mary Considine said the move marked“a significant milestone” in the delivery of the project.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said it was the “key enabler” for the wider programme, extending the Dart network from the city centre to the M3 Parkway and, subject to planning, to a new train depot in Kilcock. Dart+ West is one element of a suite of measures designed to grow the existing Dart network from 50km in length to over 150km However, residents in west Dublin have expressed a number of concerns about the project.
Fine Gael TD and assistant Government Chief Whipsaid there was some anxiety about the loss of level crossings. She said plans for the closure of the Coolmine level crossing have indicated no alternative vehicle route. At Clonsilla, she said she understood the closure would mean a detour of a “couple of kilometres” while at Ashtown there was to be an underpass provided.
The Porterstown level crossing is to be permanently closed to cars and a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge provided instead. At Blakestown, between Maynooth and Kilcock, the crossing would also be permanently removed.
“There is widespread support for Dart+ West and the electrification of the Maynooth rail line through Dublin West. If anything, there is frustration at the pace of delivery,” she said.
“The project would significantly increase both the frequency and capacity of rail services, and that investment is badly needed. ” However, she said, there was understandable concern about what impact permanently closing level crossings could have on congestion in surrounding communities.
“I do not believe Irish Rail has yet fully convinced residents that complete closure is necessary to deliver the project safely,” she said. “Two of our level crossings are currently operated by attendants who manually close the gates. The question I am regularly asked is whether these crossings could instead be upgraded to the highest modern safety standards and retained, at least during offpeak hours. That needs to be clearly addressed.
”Irish Rail fires IT firm behind much-delayed project and prepares to seek damages amid €50m writedownClocks will move back on October 25th for winter timeDromoland Estate to close for six months for €55m revamp ahead of Ryder Cup
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