Planning permission sought for new Southside DART station

IARNRÓD Éireann will this week apply for planning permission for a new DART station at Woodbrook, between Shankill and Bray.

The new station, which would be the 32nd on the DART network, is funded by the National Transport Authority, and will be at the heart of the Woodbrook Strategic Housing Development.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’s Local Area Plan for Woodbrook – Shanganagh envisages a population of over 5,000 which will directly be served by the new station. This will ensure sustainable transport is at the heart of the new communities.

Subject to planning permission, and progress with the Woodbrook development, it is currently envisaged that construction on the new station would commence in late 2021 with the station opening in early 2023.

Woodbrook Station will have two 174 metre platforms, to accommodate full size 8-carriage DARTs, and have a connecting bridge between the platforms with ramps and stairs to ensure access for all, to the latest design requirements for persons of reduced mobility.

While not part of this planning permission, the developer of Woodbrook SHD will provide adjacent parking for cars and bicycles of rail customers.

Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said “Bringing the DART to a brand new community is an exciting prospect for us in Iarnród Éireann, and designing a community to have public transport central to how it functions is exemplary planning. We look forward to working with the NTA, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, and developers Castlethorn in delivering our newest DART station to Woodbrook.”

NTA CEO Anne Graham said: “NTA is delighted to see progress being made on the development of a new DART station at Woodbrook.

“The GDA Transport Strategy makes specific reference to building a new station in this area, and it complements the DART+ programme, details of which were announced last week.

“This is a great example of how residential development and provision of public transport can be delivered in tandem, so that people moving to this area will have a frequent, reliable and sustainable alternative.”

Under the DART+ Programme, DART+ Coastal South will enhance the capacity of the DART line on the southside through infrastructure works including signalling and level crossings, with new DART trains being ordered set to be higher capacity vehicles, ensuring additional customers at Woodbrook and along the route can be accommodated.