The DART is heading even further north.
An Coimisiún Pleanála have approved the Railway Order application for the DART+ Coastal North, which will expand and electrify the line from Malahide to Drogheda.
The upgraded rail network will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda.
The section between Malahide and Drogheda (as part of the service between Dublin city and Drogheda) will nearly double capacity from about 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak hour/direction when complete.
At present, there are six trains per hour per direction; this would increase to 12 trains per hour per direction at peak times to Howth Junction & Donaghmede.
There would be a related increase in passenger capacity from the current peak of approximately 10,800-21,600 passengers to approximately 26,600- 41,000 passengers, depending on the zone.
A higher passenger capacity is experienced in Dublin City stations, and a lower passenger capacity is on the Howth Branch.
The greatest increase in capacity would be between Donabate and Drogheda of approximately 14,100 passengers per three-hour peak, where no DART service currently exists.
In a summer where Metrolink is dominating the headlines, there is also the small matter of upgrading Ireland’s existing railway system.
As part of the works, 37km of the line will be electrified, and the railway line between Malahide and Drogheda MacBride stations will be re-signalled.
The infrastructure at Howth Station, as well as Howth Junction DART station, will be improved as part of the works, along with works to improve Donaghmede station.
Irish Rail said that, subject to funding being allocated, it is anticipated that construction will be in the region of three years (although with Ireland’s planning system being what it is, take it with a pinch of salt).
Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann Jim Meade said: the announcement is “a great day for the communities of North Dublin and Louth.”
“The provision of DART services will transform commuting for the existing and new communities along this railway corridor. It will make travelling with us more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable.”
The DART+ programme, when delivered, will truly revolutionise commuting in the Greater Dublin Area and assist in meeting Ireland’s climate action targets by reducing reliance on the private car and providing sustainable high-frequency, high-capacity transport,” he said.
Hugh Creegan from the National Transport Authority said, “this approval of DART+ Coastal North is a significant milestone in the transformation of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area and for the communities across North Dublin, East Meath, and Louth.”
“This is more than about infrastructure; it is about connecting growing communities with sustainable, frequent and reliable transport that supports local development and helps reduce car dependency. Reaching this milestone marks an important step in delivering a better-connected public transport for the region.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said he welcomed the decision, saying it will allow for “significant improvements” to train capacity and frequency on the Northern commuter line.
“In the meantime, I look forward to the launch of the sustainable new DART+ battery-electric train fleet, which is currently undergoing testing and which will be initially deployed on the Northern line between Dublin and Drogheda when operational. This roll-out of new DART trains to Drogheda will provide a noticeable boost to commuters along the route,” he said.
The 392-page report noted concerns surrounding the conditions at Howth Junction and Donaghmede stations.
Last year, Northside People reported that as a result of the expanded line to Drogheda, it could result in DART services for Howth, Sutton and Bayside being replaced by shuttle DART services in order to improve capacity on the line.
At the time, there was unease at the planned changes from local residents and councillors.
This was noted during the public consultation process, along with further observations about the “poor design of the proposed station,” “poor existing and future accessibility for disability users and continual operational lift issues” as well as “high levels of anti-social behaviour in the area •”
“Overall, the submissions question the justification for proposed development at the station. It is considered to be a waste of public finances, and maintaining direct services to Howth Station would be more cost-effective,” the report noted.
The inspectors’ report noted that services to and from Howth may have to be sacrificed under the original plan, with the trade-off being more frequent services to Drogheda (which serves the wider Dublin commuter area) and to Belfast (which serves a broader economic need).
Following the public consultation process, it was noted that “there is no basis for this imbalance in approach given increasing populations in Howth area.”
The public consultation process took place during the ill-fated experiment to change the timetable on Northside DART services, which caused fury among Northside commuters this time last year.
The report noted that “the operational ability of Irish Rail to implement an alternative timetable is questioned, given it has not been tested.”
“The timetable is ambitious with little margin for error in terms of delay on the lines. Irish Rail’s attempt to change timetables in September 2024 highlights the operational challenges,” it stated.
Submissions from Howth residents also raised concerns about the closure of level crossings for 30 minutes out of every hour to facilitate the timetable changes.
Howth residents stated that the changes were “not acceptable” and would have an “unacceptable impact on all modes of travel, including emergency services.”
General statements from Howth residents and organisations also noted “the response does not address the growing population in Howth and along the branch, which will not be best served by a shuttle service.”
The document notes that the project would help Ireland meet its climate change mitigation plans, which are legally binding at both a national and European level.
In recent times, Ireland has been warned that it faces billions in fines from Europe should it not meet its climate reduction targets as outlined in the European Green Deal; this project will help Ireland meet its obligations.
The report notes that “the state need to progressively electrify the mobility systems moving away from polluting and carbon intensive propulsion systems to new technologies such as electric vehicles and introduction of electric and hybrid traction systems for public transport fleets, such that by 2040 the cities and towns will enjoy a cleaner, quieter environment free of combustion engine driven transport systems.”
Green councillor and transport spokesperson Feljin Jose was more reserved with regards to the announcement.
The Cabra-Glasnevin councillor noted that the DART+ expansion projects were not mentioned in the recent National Development Plan, and speculated that the government will hold off on committing specific levels of finance until the Budget is delivered in October.
“When will we see this government commit to funding public transport?,” he asked.