DART+ West Introduction

The DART+ West project has applied for a Railway Order to An Bord Pleanála on the 29th July 2022 and this Statutory Consultation Statutory Consultation is now closed, as of 28th October 2022. 

This DART+ West Railway Order application is based on a design which takes account of the option appraisals and consideration of the feedback received from non-statutory public consultations undertaken between August 2020 and April 2022. The consideration of feedback received from public consultation no. 1 is found in the PC1 Findings Report. The consideration of feedback received from public consultation no. 2 (including the local Ashtown consultation) is found in the  PC2 Findings Report. Both are included in in Volume 4 of the EIAR submitted as part of the Railway Order application.

The project will see:

• Increase train capacity from the current 6 trains per hour per direction up to 12 trains per hour per direction subject to demand. Passenger capacity will increase from 5,000 in 2019 to 13,200 passengers in 2025.
• Reduce carbon emissions through the deployment of new electric trains.
• Support growing communities, businesses, and future development by providing high-quality integrated public transport service in line with Government policy including the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan.
• Your local knowledge will inform the design, help us to improve the project and ensure it will be a success for you and the communities it will serve.

Delivery of this DART+ West will support existing communities and support future sustainable development. It will serve all existing stations along the railway corridor between Maynooth Station and M3 Parkway Station to Connolly Station and to the proposed Spencer Dock Station 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 for surrounding communities other than private car travel. This will assist in Ireland reducing road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions from transport, thereby helping to 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:

• Level crossing replacements;
• Proposed depot, including rail and road realignment;
• Proposed new Spencer Dock 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.