DART+ South West Introduction

Public consultation was central to the early design phase for the DART + South West project, enabling local communities and key stakeholders to influence decisions that impact connectivity, accessibility and the passenger experience.  

We engaged with local communities and the wider public to help us shape the plans for Dart + South West. To ensure the design reflects best practice and is as inclusive as possible, the options were assessed using six criteria: economy, safety, integration, environment, accessibility & social inclusion, and physical activity. 

As part of this public consultation period, public consultation no. 1 report and public consultation no.2 report, from summer 2021 to winter 2022, we offered a variety of engagement opportunities to make it easy for community members to participate and have their say on DART+ South West. The engagement activity included: online feedback forms; emails; phone calls; letters; online public information webinars; and in-person engagement including meetings with neighbours and members of the local community.  

Based on the feedback received during the public consultation period, The DART+ South West project has submitted a draft Railway Order to An Bord Pleanála and this was approved the 13th November 2024

The project will:

• Increase train capacity from the current 12 trains per hour per direction to 23 trains per hour per direction (i.e. maintain the existing 12 services, with an additional 11 train services provided by DART+ South West). This will increase passenger capacity from the current peak capacity of approximately 5,000 passengers per hour per direction to approximately 20,000 passengers per hour per direction.
• Reduce carbon emissions through the deployment of new electric trains.
• Support growing communities, businesses, and future development by providing high-quality integrated public transport services in line with Government policy including the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan.

Your knowledge will inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to improve our project plans, ensuring that it will be beneficial for you and the communities it will serve.

Delivery of this project will support existing communities along the railway and support future sustainable development. It will serve all existing stations along the railway corridor between Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station and Dublin City Centre using electrical power, which has a lower carbon footprint than the current diesel trains. The frequency and quality of service will provide a viable transport alternative to communities along the route and help encourage people to migrate from private car use. This will assist Ireland in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and help combat climate change.

The electrification of the rail line will predominantly follow the existing railway corridor. Works outside of Iarnród Éireann lands will be required at a number of locations for some of the scheme elements such as:

• Widening of the railway corridor for four-tracking between Park West & Cherry Orchard Station and Heuston Station.
• Bridge reconstruction and/or improvements.
• Construction of substations (to facilitate the provision of power to the line); and
• Use of land for temporary construction/storage compounds and all ancillary works required for the project.