Ceisteanna Coitianta a bhaineann go sonrach le Tionscadail

It is anticipated that there will be road and bridge closures associated with the construction of the DART+ West project. The timing and duration of any closures will be on a case-by-case basis depending on the location and the complexity of the construction works required at that specific location. Details of any road closures, duration and temporary diversions will be developed as part of the environmental impact assessment process and presented in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). In advance of any road closures the DART+ West project will be proactive in publicising planned works and diversionary routes.

As well as Iarnród Éireann being committed to this project, it is provided for in the Programme for Government, the National Development Plan and the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. Ultimately all projects are dependent on Exchequer funding for financing. Subject to receipt of Railway Order approval from An Bord Pleanála and approval of the Project Business Case by Government, the project will go ahead.

 

Some vegetation management and cut back of trees will be required to accommodate the new overhead line electrical equipment (OHLE) and infrastructure. The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will assess the impacts of vegetation removal and propose mitigation measures as appropriate. Tree clearance will be undertaken in accordance with seasonal constraints and where this is not feasible trees will be examined by an ecologist to determine the presence of nesting birds and bats in advance of any felling or clearance. A landscape plan will be developed for the scheme to mitigate impacts.

The DART+ West project will only undertake works within the lands specified within the railway order. Planting on private lands will not form part of the project. A landscape and visual assessments will be undertaken as part of the design and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. Where the assessments determine that visual screening is required this will be provided within Iarnród Éireann’s lands or lands to be acquired by Iarnród Éireann as part of the railway order process.

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. 
Six substations are proposed at intervals along the rail line to provide power to the network. Four are located on lands owned by CIÉ’s adjacent to the rail corridor.  The preferred location for the Park West and Kylemore substations is on third party land, requiring land acquisition.

 

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.