Project Specific FAQs

Where possible, it is Iarnród Éireann’s preference to provide ramps instead of mechanical lifts for crossing the railway. This choice is driven by reliability of the infrastructure to meet our customer's needs. If there is a mechanical failure of a lift, our customers (especially those with reduced mobility, parents with prams or cyclists) have reduced options for connectivity across the railway.

It is not proposed to provide a station at Croke Park under the DART+ West project. 
A number of physical and operational constraints exist on the existing railway lines in the Ballybough area reduce the potential for an additional station, and these are presented below:
Physical Constraints 
On the line to the north of Croke Park the railway is in a restricted area heading east of Ballybough Road towards Connolly and is elevated on a series of bridges and arches and not suited for location of a station. West of Ballybough Road the current gradient and tight curvature of the existing track geometry is not in accordance with standards for the provision of a station. Siting stations and platforms on tight curves introduces large stepping gaps and creates accessibility issues. Furthermore, the elevated nature of the existing railway, which is on a 4-metre-high embankment in this area, would raise issues regarding overlooking and visual impact on adjacent residential properties. 
On the line to the south of Croke Park (adjacent to the Royal Canal), the railway east of Ballybough Road is in a tight cutting parallel to the Royal Canal alongside Clonmore Terrace where there is limited space to the railway boundary and is not a suitable place to locate a station. West of Ballybough Road and towards Coke Park there is again a steep gradient issue identified. Impact on surrounding properties would also be an issue with limited space available.
Operational Constraints 
This section of the railway is a highly congested area with services from the Sligo line, Maynooth line, M3 Parkway line and Phoenix Park tunnel lines all converging on the city centre and it would be particularly disruptive to place a suburban stop in this area on the approach to the city. While some trains currently get held here on approach to the station to stop all suburban services so close to Connolly, an area where we have capacity issues would cause operational disruption impacting on other movements around the Connolly area for example on the northern line. Drumcondra station is only 550m from Croke Park.

 

In order to support the DART+ West project, a new depot needs to be provided. The new depot will service and maintain the new DART+ electrical carriages. 
Iarnród Éireann estimate that there will be approximately 100 staff employed at the depot to support the maintenance functions, together with accommodating approximately 50 drivers. All buildings will be designed to Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) design code. This will result in very low (if not zero) energy consumption. The design will incorporate energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and environmental improvement measures to a high industry standard. 

The transport assessment undertaken for the Maynooth Line level crossing closures concludes that a vehicular/cyclist/pedestrian bridge to serve Coolmine communities and the wider area (north and south of the railway/canal corridor) is very important to existing and future traffic management. If the level crossing is closed without the provision of a new relief bridge, then the capacity of Diswellstown Road/Dr Troy Bridge would be significantly adversely impacted. Journey times for road users would be increased and future land use development potential would be impacted.

Due to the power requirements for the electrification of the line, it is it is necessary to provide a new substation and associated technical buildings at this location. In order to minimize the loss of green space, the substation buildings are located partly underneath the new bridge.

In response to feedback received during public consultation no. 2, there has been ongoing design development on the project, however the level of change at Ashtown is considered significant. Therefore, it is considered appropriate to provide the local community with an opportunity to comment on the revised proposals at a localised non statutory consultation.