Project Specific FAQs

Underground soil anchors are proposed for DART+ South West to support retaining walls. The type and height of the wall required will depend on the location. 

Underground soil anchors are standard practice internationally to reinforce walls and slopes adjacent to railway lines and motorways. Examples of other projects Iarnród Éireann locations where soil anchors are used include: Grand Canal Dock Station, Kent Station Cork and Tara St. Station There are also examples of their use in the UK, France, Germany, Italy.

Iarnród Éireann embarked on an extensive engagement with property owners and residents along the route, where soil anchors are proposed between September and December 2022. We will continue to engage with each landowner in relation to their individual situation, if the planning application is approved by An Bord Pleanála. Any substratum acquisition requirement will be determined and refined during the detailed Design Stage so it may reduce, but it cannot be increased. This detailed design stage will take place following the granting of planning permission by An Bord Pleanála. 

We have completed Public Consultation No. 2 and the project team continued to undertake environmental and technical studies towards preparing the planning application (called a Railway Order application). That process is nearing completion and we expect to submit the planning application to An Bord Pleanála this winter. During ongoing design development, it has emerged that some impacts on properties may have changed. 
We are currently engaging with the owner and occupiers of the potentially impacted properties.
We expect to lodge an application for Railway Order with An Bord Pleanala this winter.
 

Underground soil anchors are metal rods that are inserted underground at an angle. They are designed to provide support to retaining walls to prevent movement, which protects the railway line and adjoining properties. For the DART+ South West project, underground soil anchors will need to be installed under the ground on either side of the railway line to support the retaining walls between the railway lines and adjacent properties. 

Retaining walls are required to support the raising of the road levels to accommodate the electrification infrastructure and wider tracks.

Underground soil anchors are an established solution employed internationally, including for motorways and LUAS lines in Ireland.
Iarnród Éireann will own the soil anchors installed underneath the property.
Examples of future works that might impact underground soil anchors include:

• Digging foundations for a house extension 
• Installation of wells or any other deep installations that may conflict with the anchor’s system
• Installation of underground structures such as a basement carpark or gym

The DART+ South West project aims to commence commercial service in 2029, further to completion of construction works, testing and commissioning, which are subject to the availability of funding.