Project Specific FAQs

Click on a logo below for the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to that DART+ project.

All FAQs

The DART+ South West Project will replace or enhance (where practicable) pedestrian and cycle facilities where bridge reconstruction is necessary. Pedestrian and cycle facilities associated with many of the existing stations were provided as part of the original Kildare Route Project; the facilities are consistently under review and are the remit of the Iarnród Éireann Station Enhancement Programme.

Construction Phase

The starting principle for the Project is to upgrade the existing railway corridor and to undertake all works, within the railway corridor. This can be achieved over the majority of the route, including building on the groundwork carried out under the original Kildare Route Project, which delivered the existing four track system and several reconstructed bridges from Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station to Park West & Cherry Orchard Station. The last remaining significant constraint is the area between Park West and Heuston Station, where four tracks reduce to two tracks. Extending to four tracks in this area will require an increase in the width of the existing rail corridor and this will have a potential impact on adjoining property owners.
In order to minimise construction impacts, the majority of works will be carried out within the existing rail corridor, where possible. In order to maintain services during the day, the majority of the construction works along the railway line itself will take place at night. Works outside of the live railway corridor can progress during the day (i.e. construction of bridges associated with bridge widening, substations, construction compounds). Every effort will be made to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate negative impacts, however, there is likely to be some disturbance experienced by those in close proximity to the railway line caused by noise, lighting or fencing/hoarding erected associated with the construction activities. The types of construction work required at each specific location will determine the type of impact that may affect the area of your property. However, there will be general linear works required along the full length of the route, such as:
•   Overhead electrification equipment along the full extent of the railway line. This will be similar in style to that currently used on the existing DART network.
•   Modifications to the existing rail bridges and tunnels, such as modifications to the structure, track lowering or a combination of both.
•   Substations will be required at intervals along the rail line to provide power to the network.
•   Signalling upgrades and additional signalling will be required to the upgraded infrastructure.
Interfaces with existing utilities, boundary treatments, drainage works, vegetation management and other ancillary works will be required along the length of the project. Upon appointment of a construction contractor a dedicated Community Liaison Officer will be put in place to communicate details of upcoming works and every potential mitigation will be put in place to minimise the disruption that may occur.

Operational Phase

During the operational phase, the frequency of service will increase.

Assessment of Impacts

All likely significant effects during both the construction and operational phases will be identified and detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report with a detailed schedule of mitigation measures identified to reduce those potential effects.

A wide range of surveys are required as part of the DART+ Coastal South project. These include, but are not limited to, Topographical Surveys, Ecological and other environmental Surveys, Ground Investigation Surveys.

Some access to third party lands will be required in order to complete these surveys. Should access be required then formal contact will be made with the relevant landowner and permission will be sought for access.

Should you have any queries or concerns regarding these surveys please contact the Community Liaison Officer for this Project at (+353) 86 235 8913 or by email at DARTCoastalSouth@irishrail.ie.

In the first instance, the design process will make every effort to ensure that negative impacts on all aspects of the environment are avoided, reduced or mitigated as far as reasonably practicable, and positive impacts are maximised.

Detailed environmental assessments will be carried out over the course of the project to ensure that the proposed works are undertaken without negatively impacting on these sensitive constraints.
The project recognises the sensitivity of the area, particularly from an archaeological and architectural heritage perspective and have been very cognisant of this in developing our emerging preferred option. Feedback from you, the public, in respect of these proposals will help us to ensure this design is further developed to enhance the area and minimise any impacts.

Further work is also proposed to ground truth our initial work and as part of ongoing environmental assessments as part of Stage 1 of DART+ Coastal South