An Rogha is Fearr

The Emerging Preferred Option for Stage 1 of the project comprises: 

Railway Infrastructure Modification

The project is predominantly located within the corridor of the existing railway and will deliver the necessary infrastructure to enable the proposed increased train capacity and higher frequency of train services associated with Stage 1 of the overall DART+ Coastal South project.

This involves minor track interventions along Bray Head to ease speed restrictions to facilitate an increased frequency of service.

These include track geometry modifications, renewal of rail, sleepers and ballast and gauging of existing structures to comply with structural clearance, speed and comfort criteria. 

General Linear Works

• Signalling alterations will be required to properly utilise the revised track arrangements and provide the improved resilience needed to enable the increased and improved train service
• A new signalling equipment building to accommodate new signalling systems equipment will be constructed in Bray on Iarnród Éireann land. Power supply arrangements will be required to ensure that the new equipment is powered continuously
• Replacement of the existing Bray relay interlocking and instead connecting to a new computer based interlocking located in the New Train Control Centre at Heuston to support the planned increase in train services
• Line-side cabling works - these works include the completion of an assessment of the existing line-side cabling and proposals for the provision of new line-side cabling containment
• Interfaces with existing utilities, boundary treatments, drainage works, vegetation management and other ancillary works will be required at various locations along the project

Enhanced Railway Infrastructure at Bray (Daly) Station

The Emerging Preferred Option includes the delivery of new infrastructure at Bray (Daly) Station which will allow for the proposed increases in service frequency proposed by DART+ Coastal South.

The works include the construction of a new crossover (track modifications to allow a train to cross from one track to the other) and associated signalling upgrades at Bray (Daly) Station, located to the south of the station. The proposed crossover will be located to the southern end of the station and together with modifications to Platform 1, which will reduce in length to 180m, will essentially extend the length of double tracking within the station and allow for DART services to turnback at Bray (Daly) Station and return to Dublin City.

As the scale of interventions proposed at Bray (Daly) Station are relatively minimal, it is highly likely that all works required would be contained within the existing railway boundary. 

Level crossing XR012 (Ennis Lane Level Crossing), at Rathdown Road

Ennis Lane Level Crossing (IÉ reference number XR012) is situated to the north of Greystones Station, at the eastern extents of Rathdown Road. The crossing provides pedestrian, cyclist and persons of reduced mobility access to amenities east of the railway line, as well as vehicular access to farmland located between the railway corridor and the sea. The level crossing is typically locked and is not accessible by public vehicles. The vehicle crossing can be operated manually by either Iarnród Éireann or the landowner to the east of the railway corridor for necessary access.

The Emerging Preferred Option (EPO) proposes that the Ennis Lane Level Crossing will be upgraded to a CCTV Controlled crossing with existing access maintained. This is primarily for safety reasons, resulting from the increased frequency of trains enabled by DART+ Coastal South.

For more information on the Emerging Preferred Option, please see the Public Consultation 1 Emerging Preferred Option