Frequently Asked Questions

Are any surveys being done as part of the project?

Environmental surveys and ground investigations are required to be undertaken to inform the environmental assessment and design process. Where access to private lands is required, contact will be made in advance to seek permission. 

Should you have any queries or concerns regarding these surveys please contact Garry Keegan who is the Community Liaison Officer for this Project at 086-2358913 or by email at dartplusdepot@irishrail.ie. 

How does the Railway Order application process work?

Railway Order application is broadly similar to the planning application process. The project is categorised as Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) and Iarnród Éireann applies directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála for permission. The Railway Order application process is set out in the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 as amended by the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006.

Following this public consultation, the proposed project plans will be finalised, incorporating feedback received during the consultation phase where appropriate and the project will submit a draft Railway Order application.

Following submission of the Railway Order Application, An Coimisiún Pleanála will conduct a statutory consultation where  Any person or body may make a submission or observation in writing to An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to the application and / or the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

The Railway Order application will include a number of technical documents and project drawings and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. All of these documents and drawings together with any feedback/submissions received from the public as part of the statutory public consultation process will be reviewed and considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála before a decision on the application is made.  

It is anticipated that An Coimisiún Pleanála will conduct an Oral Hearing before they make a decision on the DART+ Depot project. At an Oral Hearing the authors of relevant reports and experts will give qualified responses on the submissions received and will be available for questioning.  

Further information on making a submission / observation in writing to An Coimisiún Pleanála and Oral Hearing procedures are available from the Commission’s website www.pleanala.ie.

I regularly travel on the Maynooth line/ Kilcock line to & from the city centre, what will change for me when the project is being constructed?

We will endeavour to maintain weekday passenger services during the construction phase as much as possible. However, there may be a requirement for short periods of service disruption. Where such works occur, if they are of short duration, we will endeavour to limit these disruptions to weekends and off-peak times as much as possible. 

It is envisaged that the reconstruction of Allen Bridge may need total closure of the railway beyond a short weekend disruption. That will have an impact on the trains travelling West towards Endfield. Alternative transport will be provided when that occurs. 

The public will be advised in advance of any planned disruptions to services and alternative services/connections that will be provided. Details of the likely phasing and any potential disruptions to services will be identified as the project progresses.  

What are the benefits for customers?

The extension of the DART+ services to Kilcock will increase the frequency in services on a phased basis. It is expected that, during the morning and evening peak, DART+ Depot will provide the infrastructure to support up to a six trains per hour per direction from Kilcock towards Dublin in the future. Kilcock Station will be upgraded and served by new, more accessible DART carriages. The project will deliver a fully electrified rail line to Kilcock supporting a more sustainable transport future. The journey time from Kilcock to Dublin will be similar to today’s travel time. New trains will be deployed and the operational pattern is for all DART+ trains to stop at all stations more frequently.   

What is the timelinee for commencement of construction?

Subject to the Railway Order being successfully granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála it is expected that construction work will commence in 2028 and will be completed/operational in 2031. 

What works are proposed at Kilcock Station?

The proposed works to the existing Kilcock Station include: 

• Construction of a new, second track to serve the station   
• construction of a new northern platform to serve the additional track,  
• relocation of the existing station’s platform east of Shaw’s Bridge. The existing southern platform will be relocated approximately 120 metres towards the east. The current station entrance will be retained, and the track alignment will be adjusted under Shaw’s Bridge to facilitate the twin-tracking without impacting the bridge. The platforms will be up to 3 metres wide.  
• A new fully accessible pedestrian access bridge will be erected above the tracks.  
• The southern platform of the proposed station will connect directly with the access point to the car park to minimise walking distance for passengers. To facilitate the construction of the new platforms to the east, the existing Kilcock Canoe Polo Club will also be impacted requiring further consideration as part of the ongoing design process. 
• Existing parking at Fair Green which serves the existing station will be modified to accommodate more parking spaces.  
• The proposal also includes new bike parking by the station entrance. 

Why is the new depot required?

As part of the DART+ Programme, a fleet of new DART carriages has been procured, the first of which are currently in their testing and commissioning phase and expected to enter service in 2027. The new fleet will include up to 750 carriages. The maintenance and stabling requirements for this new fleet means a new depot facility is needed.  

The DART+ Depot project will facilitate the delivery of the depot and associated infrastructure. The proposed depot will comprise a depot building, maintenance shed, offices, an automatic train wash, an automatic vehicle inspection unit, service facilities, and other maintenance facilities. It will include a test track, stabling for trains, an electrical substation, a security building and car and bicycle parking.

 Will the DART+ Network be extended to Kilcock?

Yes, as the preferred depot site is west of Kilcock, the rail line will now be electrified from Maynooth to the depot location, meaning DART+ services will operate to Kilcock station.  

Will there be any road closures or traffic diversions during the construction phase and after?

Iarnród Éireann will endeavour to minimise any potential impacts to communities along the line. There will be some disruption to the road network during the reconstruction of Allen Bridge which carries the R148 over the railway and the canal. Traffic management measures will be implemented to maintain traffic along the R148 during these works. 

Access will be maintained along the road network following the completion of construction stage. The existing L5041 will be permanently diverted to the west of the existing local road and will travel over both the new and existing railway lines and the Royal Canal via a new bridge. A new T-junction is proposed for the L5041 local road to connect with the R148 regional road. The existing R148 will be realigned over a short distance of approximately 400 metres. 

Where will the compounds be located through the construction period?

A number of temporary compounds are required along the scheme, generally adjacent to the site of individual elements of the infrastructure that are being constructed. These compounds will only be required during the construction phase, and indicative locations for them are shown on the project schematics included within the brochure. The construction methodology will determine the exact dimensions of each of these areas as the design evolves.

What are the anticipated operational working hours in the proposed depot? Will it operate 24/7 and will there be activities during nighttime hours?

During operation, the new depot will be the main maintenance facility for the DART+ Fleet and will operate 24 hours a day throughout the year. Daily light maintenance, exterior washing, internal cleaning, and other corrective maintenance within the depot building will occur all day long. Any heavy maintenance, and other noisy activities will be scheduled to be done during the day. 

Train movements to and from the depot, will begin from around 04:30hrs with the last train expected to access the depot sometime after midnight.  

What are the anticipated works hours during construction?

Whilst the project will try to limit disruptive works, some nighttime works are expected to reduce the impact on the operation of the railway. The construction works range from those that are located outside of the railway boundary, which will be undertaken from 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday and half-day on Saturday, and those that will require closure of a section of railway, normally during night-time, and sometimes during full weekends. 

For some of the works as part of the scheme is expected that total railway closures extending for a few weeks may be deemed necessary. 

The construction compounds will be operational 24/7 in order to service the various worksites. 

Full detail on the proposed construction works, associated impacts and a detailed timeline of interventions at each area along the line will be developed as part of the draft railway order and will be shared on dartplus.ie.  

How/ Where is the Public Consultation Communicated?

Information on the DART+ Depot Project and Public Consultation can be found on www.dartplus.ie. All public consultation launches are further highlighted through in-station posters and a leaflet drop along the project route, briefing of elected representatives, email notification to the project database, targeted digital advertising and advertising in print media and on radio where appropriate. Public feedback will be accepted during all stages of the design development and can be submitted through the project website, e-mail address, phone or by written correspondence. For further details see the How to Engage / Contact Us section on www.dartplus.ie. 

What do you mean by electrification / electrifying the line?

The new DART trains will be electrically powered using 1500V direct current from overhead wires and associated support wires. There are typically four longitudinal wires for each track. In other to carry the wires, structural supports are necessary.

The appearance will be similar to that used on the existing DART in the Coastal Line. A typical steel mast support has been selected as illustrated in the image below and will typically rise to between 6.0 m and 8.5 m above rail level. It is anticipated that the steel supports will be located at spacings of between 40 m and 60 m along the railway.