Public consultation on DART+West project extended for 3 weeks

Irish Rail has confirmed that the public consultation process on the DART+West project will be extended for a period of three weeks.

The news has been welcomed by local politicians with Labour councillor for Dublin West John Walsh saying it gives and communities “breathing space.”

“It is simply impossible to hold a successful public consultation in August and the original time-scale was much too restricted to allow people the time to make an informed submission,” he said.

Walsh and his colleague councillor Declan Meenagh (Cabra-Glasnevin) wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of Irish Rail, Jim Meade, on Friday, August 6, asking for the consultation to run for nine weeks until early October.

“Electrification of the Maynooth line has the potential to transform public transport across suburban Dublin and would be a landmark in achieving green public transport,” said Walsh.

“Considering the importance of the project, it is all the more important to secure a high level of public engagement.

“There are many questions and concerns around the preferred options, particularly at Coolmine and Ashtown – the final route has to respect the concerns of communities along the route to protect their local environment and prevent increased traffic congestion on local roads.”