Ceisteanna Coitianta a bhaineann go sonrach le Tionscadail

DART+ Coastal North is seeking to increase the frequency and capacity of train services between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre, inclusive of the Howth Branch Line. This can be achieved by introducing electrified, high-capacity DART trains and increasing the frequency of these trains. Delivery of this project will support the existing communities along the railway and support future sustainable development. DART+ Coastal North will serve all existing stations along the route using electrical power that has a lower carbon footprint than the existing diesel trains. The frequency and quality of service will provide a viable transport alternative to communities along the route and will encourage people to switch from private car use. This will assist in Ireland reducing transport related greenhouse gas emissions and help combat climate change. The electrification of the rail line will predominantly follow the existing railway corridor and works will mostly be carried out within the extents of the existing railway corridor.

It is important to note that the DART+ Coastal North Project will deliver rail infrastructure which will enable the proposed increased frequency and capacity of rail services between Drogheda, Howth, and Dublin City Centre. The project will also deliver improved reliability of services on both the Northern and Howth Lines. 

Whilst the technical characteristics of the new DART+ Fleet are still being finalised, modelling completed to date suggests expected DART journey times between Drogheda and Dublin Connolly during peak periods would take circa 53 minutes. It is worth noting that the DART+ Coastal North project will deliver the infrastructure to enable the maximum level of service on the Northern Line and future journey times and/or timetables have yet to be developed and will be sensitive to a variety of influencing factors.

Timetables will be developed based on some DART trains stopping at all stations between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre, and others operating on a skip stopping pattern, similar to the existing stopping pattern on Northern Commuter services. Also, there will be different phases of timetable development that will be gradually introduced as the project builds towards the maximum level of service. The operational detail behind each of these phases will be determined through the timetable decisions at those times. Any substantial timetable change will go through a Public Consultation process of its own organised by the NTA known as the Timetable Customer Consultation Process.

Actual journey times, and timetables, for DART services originating from Drogheda will vary depending on the stopping patterns of DART services implemented in the future, of which there are many variations and options to consider. Timetables will be developed based on some DART trains stopping at all stations between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre, and others operating on a skip stopping pattern. 

At certain times, operating an Enterprise service during a peak period may result in an extended journey time for Enterprise services. This does however allow Iarnrod Eireann to maximise the Northern Line track capacity, through the implementation of the DART+ Coastal North project. Factors including the output from the ongoing Enterprise Fleet Replacement Project, the improved acceleration and braking provided by the new DART+ Fleet, and the stopping patterns of DART services implemented on the Northern Line will all influence and inform future journey times.

The main objectives of the DART+ Coastal North project include delivering the infrastructure to enable a higher frequency, higher capacity, reliable, electrified route to enable an increased DART service frequency between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre. Further information can be found in the project brochure or the project website.

The second non- statutory public consultation, Public Consultation No.2, focussing on the Preferred Option for DART+ Coastal North is scheduled to be held in Spring 2023 (09 May - 23 June). 

The first non - statutory public consultation period was held in Spring 2022. 

This consultation is our way of asking you, as potential users of the service or those likely to be affected by its development, for your views on our plans. Your local knowledge will inform the emerging design, help us to improve the scheme and ensure it will be a beneficial for you and the communities the route will serve.

If your property is likely to be directly affected by the works you should already have heard from us. Our Community Liaison Officer will be available throughout the process to ensure you are regularly updated on the current proposals and your views are taken into consideration as we progress the design. 

You can engage with us via the following means:
Website | www.dartplus.ie
Email | DARTCoastalNorth@irishrail.ie
Phone line | 01 233 4515

Postal Address
Community Liaison Officer
DART+ Coastal North
Iarnród Éireann
Inchicore Works
Inchicore Parade
Dublin 8
D08K6Y3

The Railway Order application is essentially an application seeking statutory consent (planning permission and acquisition of land) for the DART+ Coastal North railway infrastructure. The project is categorised as a 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 the proposed two phases of non-statutory 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. The Railway Order application will include a number of technical documents and project drawings as well as an Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Appropriate Assessment documentation (AA screening / Natura Impact Statement (NIS)). All 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 a decision is made. 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.