Design work starts on rail link to Navan

The rail line from Navan to Dublin has moved yet another step closer to reality with the news that design work on the railway line began last week. Transport Minister Noel Dempsey announced on Friday that Iarnród Éireann had commenced the design phase on the Navan railway line from the M3 Parkway station on the Clonsilla-Dunboyne line to Navan, which is due for completion in 2015. Last month, it was announced that a railway order for the line was being prepared and would be lodged in the middle of 2011. The project involves the extension of the Dunboyne M3 line, which is currently under construction, to the north edge of Navan and will involve two railway stations in Navan, one to the north of the town, which will service the proposed new regional hospital. The preferred route is mostly along the alignment of the old Navan railway line, which closed in 1963. Mr Dempsey pointed out that, following public consultation with residents, landowners and stakeholders and the preparation of a feasibility study, a proposed route has now been chosen. He said: "This is another significant milestone in the provision of a railway line to Navan. I have championed this project for many years. Over the last two decades, I have lobbied several Ministers of Transport on this issue. Since becoming minister in 2007, it has enabled me to steer the project to fruition. It is great news for the people of Navan and County Meath," he said. "I know from speaking to car-based commuters in Meath just how keen they are for this rail line to get up and running so that they can make the choice to leave their car at home when commuting to work each day." He said the development and construction of the line was a key part of the Government-funded Transport 21 programme. The proposed scheme consists of an extension of the Dunboyne commuter railway line and the provision of 34km of double track to Navan. Four stations in total are proposed as part of the project, at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan town centre and a terminus station at the north edge of Navan. The N3/M3 is one of the busiest road corridors in the country and it is anticipated that the Dunboyne M3 commuter railway and the extension to Navan take thousands of cars off the road upon its completion. The Dunboyne M3 Commuter Railway project is now under construction. Works commenced on the provision of 7.5km of track between Clonsilla and Dunboyne in December 2008. It features stations at Hansfield, Dunboyne and a major park and ride facility at M3 Parkway, at the interchange with the M3. Track laying is now almost complete. A number of accommodation bridges are finished along the route, and upgrading works are continuing to Barnhill, Stirling and Dunboyne bridges. The Royal Canal bridge was lifted in August of last year, providing a link from Clonsilla station over the Royal Canal. Works are ongoing to each of the three stations along the route. The interchange at M3 Parkway has been substantially completed by the NRA/M3JV, providing two bridges for the railway line and an access road into the station. The Dunboyne M3 Commuter project is scheduled for completion in the second half of this year with a journey time of just over 30 minutes from the M3 Parkway to Docklands Station in Dublin. "The provision of the rail link will provide many benefits, the most obvious being the swift and convenient access to the capital for large numbers of Meath people. The advantages for Navan from a business and industrial viewpoint will be considerable," said Mr Dempsey. Cllr Tommy Reilly welcomed the start of the design work and, in particular, the news that there will be a second station in Navan. He pointed out that this would be at a site reserved by the council for the railway station and the new regional hospital for the north-east. "This is another step forward towards the provision of the rail link to Navan and everything possible must be done to ensure the rail line to Navan is completed as soon as possible," said Cllr Reilly.