Iarnród Éireann launches second public consultation for DART+ Coastal North

Iarnród Éireann has today commenced the second round of public consultation on the DART+ Coastal North project.

Part of the DART+ Programme, DART+ Coastal North will bring the DART to Drogheda, “delivering an increased and improved electrified network with additional passenger capacity and enhanced train service frequency between Howth and Drogheda and Dublin City Centre,” a spokesperson said.

Proposed project plans being presented as part of this public consultation include “significant enhancements for Howth Junction and Donaghmede Station, in response to customer feedback from the first round of public consultation, to provide a more accessible, user friendly and customer focused station for all rail users.

“A more than doubling of service and passenger capacity from Drogheda to the city centre by increasing the number of trains from 11 to 24 and capacity for commuters from 12500 – 26600 per 3-hour peak period.

“Infrastructure proposals to provide a more frequent and reliable DART service.

Funded by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040, the rail improvement project will offer an increase in peak passenger capacity and train frequency between Dublin City Centre and Drogheda MacBride Station – inclusive of the Howth Line – “facilitating more frequent and reliable transport to the surrounding communities.”

The scheme also aims to alleviate road congestion and build a more connected rail network.

Today’s announcement comes following the order of 185 DART+ carriages from Alstom in two phases over the past 17 months, the lodgement of the Railway Order for DART+ West in July 2022 and the lodgement of the DART+ South West Railway Order in March of this year.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said: “The positive public response to the first round of consultation on DART+ Coastal North showed that the people living in north County Dublin, Meath and Louth want to be able to travel by fast, frequent and low-carbon public transport.

“Battery-electric trains will be serving this demand from 2025 and the future rollout of DART+ Coastal North will further enhance rail transport options along the Northern Line.

“This Government is committed to providing quality, frequent and accessible transport so that people can choose to leave the car at home more often.

“The launch of the second round of public consultation on DART+ Coastal North is another sign of progress against this commitment and follows two orders of new fleet and the submission of planning applications for DART+ West and DART+ South West as part of the wider DART+ Programme.”

The public can review the full details of the project at www.dartplus.ie.