Welcome to the DART+ South West Project
The second of the infrastructural projects of the DART+ Programme to be delivered will be the DART+ South West Project. This rail improvement project will provide a sustainable, electrified, reliable and more frequent rail service to our customers, revolutionising capacity between Hazelhatch & Celbridge station and Dublin City Centre, whilst also increasing capacity and reducing journey times for non-electrified InterCity and Commuter services.
DART+ South West Railway Order Application
The DART+ South West project has now sought statutory approval for its design, with the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála on the 22nd March 2023.
DART+ South West Virtual Exhibition Room
Iarnród Éireann wants to provide you with every possible opportunity to learn about the DART+ South West Project and get involved in the design development process. A virtual exhibition space has been created to provide information, similar to the exhibition events that would have traditionally been held in local communities. This virtual space is aimed at increasing the public knowledge of, and improving engagement with, the project but from the safety and comfort of your personal surroundings.
DART+ South West Introduction
Iarnród Éireann have now concluded the 2nd round of a non-statutory public consultation on the preferred option for DART+ South West project. This consultation was our way of asking you, as potential users of the service or those likely to be affected by its development, for your views. All feedback and submissions received were reviewed and assessed as part of the finalisation of the design development. Following a full appraisal of the feedback, a public consultation No.2 consultation findings report was prepared and published as part of the Railway Order application that will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála.
The project will:
- Increase train capacity from the current 12 trains per hour per direction to 23 trains per hour per direction (i.e. maintain the existing 12 services, with an additional 11 train services provided by DART+ South West). This will increase passenger capacity from the current peak capacity of approximately 5,000 passengers per hour per direction to approximately 20,000 passengers per hour per direction.
- Reduce carbon emissions through the deployment of new electric trains.
- Support growing communities, businesses, and future development by providing high-quality integrated public transport services in line with Government policy including the National Planning Framework and Climate Action Plan.
Your knowledge will inform the design and help Iarnród Éireann to improve our project plans, ensuring that it will be beneficial for you and the communities it will serve.
Delivery of this project will support existing communities along the railway and support future sustainable development. It will serve all existing stations along the railway corridor between Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station and Dublin City Centre using electrical power, which has a lower carbon footprint than the current diesel trains. The frequency and quality of service will provide a viable transport alternative to communities along the route and help encourage people to migrate from private car use. This will assist Ireland in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport and help combat climate change.
The electrification of the rail line will predominantly follow the existing railway corridor. Works outside of Iarnród Éireann lands will be required at a number of locations for some of the scheme elements such as:
- Widening of the railway corridor for four-tracking between Park West & Cherry Orchard Station and Heuston Station.
- Bridge reconstruction and/or improvements.
- Construction of substations (to facilitate the provision of power to the line); and
- Use of land for temporary construction/storage compounds and all ancillary works required for the project.
Key Infrastructural Elements
DART+ South West is seeking to modernise and optimise the existing railway between Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station to Heuston Station and also from Heuston Station to Glasnevin, via the Phoenix Park Tunnel Branch Line. The project involves track works, electrification and certain interventions to remove constraints.
DART+ South West Route Map
The project covers circa 20km from Hazelhatch & Celbridge Station to Glasnevin via the Phoenix Park Tunnel Branch Line. There are currently five operational stations along the route bringing passengers into and out of the city centre.
Benefits of DART+ South West
This project will have far reaching positive transportation effects by providing a sustainable transport system with increased passenger capacity and frequency. This will be beneficial to surrounding and future communities and will assist in reducing dependency on private cars.
Public Consultation Process
Public participation is a key element to the delivery of major infrastructure projects, such as DART+ South West.
View Public Consultation InformationNext Steps
Here you will find information on the option selection, design development methodology and the railway order application process.
Useful Resources & Downloads
Here you will find useful DART+ South West material for you to download.
Project Sponsors
The DART+ Programme is being implemented by Iarnród Éireann as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (2016-2035).
