Project Specific FAQs

The DART+ South West Project will replace or enhance (where practicable) pedestrian and cycle facilities where bridge reconstruction is necessary. Pedestrian and cycle facilities associated with many of the existing stations were provided as part of the original Kildare Route Project; the facilities are consistently under review and are the remit of the Iarnród Éireann Station Enhancement Programme.

Construction Phase

The starting principle for the Project is to upgrade the existing railway corridor and to undertake all works, within the railway corridor. This can be achieved over the majority of the route, including building on the groundwork carried out under the original Kildare Route Project, which delivered the existing four track system and several reconstructed bridges from Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station to Park West & Cherry Orchard Station. The last remaining significant constraint is the area between Park West and Heuston Station, where four tracks reduce to two tracks. Extending to four tracks in this area will require an increase in the width of the existing rail corridor and this will have a potential impact on adjoining property owners.  
In order to minimise construction impacts, the majority of works will be carried out within the existing rail corridor, where possible.  In order to maintain services during the day, the majority of the construction works along the railway line itself will take place at night. Works outside of the live railway corridor can progress during the day (i.e. construction of bridges associated with bridge widening, substations, construction compounds). Every effort will be made to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate negative impacts, however, there is likely to be some disturbance experienced by those in close proximity to the railway line caused by noise, lighting or fencing/hoarding erected associated with the construction activities. The types of construction work required at each specific location will determine the type of impact that may affect the area of your property. However, there will be general linear works required along the full length of the route, such as:
•    Overhead electrification equipment along the full extent of the railway line. This will be similar in style to that currently used on the existing DART network.
•    Modifications to the existing rail bridges and tunnels, such as modifications to the structure, track lowering or a combination of both.
•    Substations will be required at intervals along the rail line to provide power to the network.
•    Signalling upgrades and additional signalling will be required to the upgraded infrastructure. 
Interfaces with existing utilities, boundary treatments, drainage works, vegetation management and other ancillary works will be required along the length of the project. Upon appointment of a construction contractor a dedicated Community Liaison Officer will be put in place to communicate details of upcoming works and every potential mitigation will be put in place to minimise the disruption that may occur.

Operational Phase

During the operational phase, the frequency of service will increase.  

Assessment of Impacts

All likely significant effects during both the construction and operational phases will be identified and detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report with a detailed schedule of mitigation measures identified to reduce those potential effects.

DART+ Coastal will increase the potential frequency of DART services between Grand Canal Dock and Bray from eight trains per hour per direction to 12 trains per hour per direction. It is anticipated that this will increase level crossing closure times significantly. Increased level crossing closures will have a negative impact on road users, therefore it may be necessary for the project to provide a sufficient level of alternative separated crossings for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. Modelling work will determine the full impact on the level crossing closure times and if required the design process will determine the necessary replacement infrastructure for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. 

Detailed route modelling work and the design of infrastructure enhancements are commencing and will be developed as part of the Concept Phase. This information will be presented as part of the Public Consultation Process.

In general, the track layout along the route will remain predominantly unaltered, therefore trains will be no closer to property boundaries than at present. There may be track changes at specific locations such as at turnback facilities (Howth Junction, Clongriffin, Malahide, Drogheda, Bray and Greystones). The design development is currently in progress and any changes to infrastructure at specific locations or areas will be identified during this process and will be presented during the public consultation process. 
 

Railway Order application is broadly similar to the planning application process. The project is categorised as Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) and Iarnród Éireann applies directly to An Bord Pleanála for permission. The Railway Order application process is set out in the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 as amended by the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006. Following two phases of public consultation, Iarnród Éireann will submit the Railway Order application. Any person or body may make a submission or observation in writing to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the application and / or the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. The Railway Order application will include a number of technical documents and project drawings and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. All of these documents and drawings together with any feedback/submissions received from the public as part of the statutory public consultation process will be reviewed and considered by An Bord Pleanála before a decision on the application is made. We expect that An Bord Pleanála will conduct an Oral Hearing before they make a decision. At an Oral Hearing the authors of relevant reports and experts will give evidence on the submissions received and will be available for questioning. Further information on making a submission / observation in writing to the Board and Oral Hearing procedures are available from the  An Bord Pleanála website.