DART extension to Drogheda takes ‘significant step forward’

The long awaited DART extension to Drogheda has taken a “significant step forward” after new applications were lodged with An Bord Pleanala.

Iarnród Éireann has lodged a Railway Order application with the planning authority seeking permission to extend the electrified DART network from Malahide to Drogheda MacBride Station. This is the third route of the DART+ programme to reach this stage after plans were lodged in June 2022 for the Maynooth extension and July 2022 for the Hazelhatch route.

Irish Rail say the new line will almost double the peak hourly capacity on the Northern route from 4,800 to 8,800 passengers. New battery electric DART+ trains, which will run on electricity under wires from the city centre to Malahide and continue under battery power to Drogheda, will also arrive in Ireland later this year and will be in operation in early 2026.

Read more: Dublin’s public transport ‘becoming corridors of crime’ as calls made for greater policing

Read more: DART services could be extended to Drogheda within three years

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the new route will provide more people with “access to a far better alternative to sitting in traffic”. He added: “This project will mean that we can almost double capacity at peak time, giving communities a quality, more frequent train service between Dublin and Drogheda, while supporting our decarbonisation goals.

“What makes this project even better is that passengers on the line between Dublin city and Drogheda will start to see welcome benefits by 2026 through the entry into service of brand-new battery-electric DART trains, providing a pathway to the full electrification of the line.”

Iarnrod Eireann chief executive, Jim Meade, hailed the lodging of the plans as a “great day” for communities in Drogheda, East Meath and North County Dublin, saying the completed DART+ project will truly revolutionise commuting in Dublin and surrounding areas.

He said: The provision of DART services will transform commuting for existing and new communities along the Drogheda/Howth to Dublin railway corridor. It will make travelling with us more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable.

“This is the third DART+ project to submit a railway order. 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. We encourage commuters and communities along the route to participate in the Railway Order process.”

The Railway Order application website is live from today. Members of the public, prescribed bodies and directly impacted landowners and occupiers are welcome to make submissions from July 19 to September 20.

Subject to planning permission and funding arrangements, construction works on the route are expected commence later this decade and will take around three years to complete.

For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.

Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.