Rail Plan keeps Navan line on track but delivery still years off

The extension of the Dart electrified rail line to Navan is part of a long term proposal for rail transport included in the All Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published last week.

The review outlined plans for the transformation of the current rail system through electrification, faster speeds, improved frequency, and new routes for people and freight.

The extension of the line from Dunboyne to Navan is clearly part of the objectives and is marked on the map for delivery.

Senator Shane Cassells said proposals "show that the plans for Navan are getting closer to realisation.

"The plan has gone one step further with plans to extend the DART service from Dublin out to Navan. It is very exciting news," he said.

However, Deputy Darren O'Rourke pointed out that there was no suggestion in the All Island Plan or the National Development Plan that the Navan Rail line will be delivered before 2035.

"The Government needs to act to deliver the Navan rail line," he insisted.

Under the All Island plan, trains would return to Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal for first time in decades, the Limerick Junction to Waterford line would be upgraded and the Western rail corridor railway between Claremorris and Athenry reinstated. Services would be extended into Tyrone, Derry and Donegal. The review would seek to reinstate the Antrim to Lisburn line with a station at Belfast International Airport and the Wexford to Waterford railway line would also be reinstated.

There are also plans to enhance rail capacity for freight, taking more trucks off the roads.

Senator Cassells said the plan for DART’s extension to Navan was part of the plan to electrify the current line as far as Dunboyne.

In the All Island Review document the plan to deliver the new Navan rail as part of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Transport Strategy is set out, as announced in January of this year.

It notes that the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are currently delivering an ambitious DART+ Programme, which will expand DART beyond its current coastal corridor to the North of the Greater Dublin Area.

Providing a new link between Adamstown and Maynooth to enable Sligo services to be diverted away from the DART West route and to enable DART to eventually extend commuter services to Navan is now a recommendation of the plan.

“Bringing DART to Navan might sound fanciful but it is actually the foresight we need from the Department and with funding being provided for the extension of DART it is great to be included,” remarked Senator Cassells.

“The electrification of the line to Dunboyne is already planned for and by the time we break ground on the rail for Navan it would make sense to continue the electrification at that point.

“The reality is that design teams for Navan Rail will be in place by year’s end with the project now very much on track."

Deputy O'Rourke welcomed the All Island approach.

"This is hugely important recognition of rail transport in terms of transport and climate. The opportunity for rail is clear but what is missing is vision, political will and funding.

"This strategic review addresses the vision and is a step in the right direction. I welcome the Navan rail line and the commitment to it and that that Navan to Drogheda rail line will be enhanced. I am disappointed the opportunity to open further the line to Kells and North Meath wasn't included.

"The delivery of the Navan rail line is the single most important factor but there is nothing in the report to suggest it will be delivered before 2035.

Senator Cassells said that earlier in the summer he met with Iarnród Éireann's Director of Capital Investments, Paul Hendrick, at a special meeting in the National Train Control Centre at Heuston Station and he outlined how Navan Rail will be one of Irish Rail's most ambitious projects.

Mr Hendrick is a native of Dunshaughlin and the Meath man came to the influential position in Irish Rail in July of last year.

According to Senator Cassells he struck an optimistic tone and "there is now a real momentum at the highest level to get this project delivered.

"There are going to be issues to be teased out in terms of planning and the fact that we have a Meath man at the helm is hugely beneficial.

Mr Hendrick is heading up a team of 130 working on the capital development side at Irish Rail which will see the electrification of the line from the city to Dunboyne completed as part of their work.

His impressive career has encompassed senior delivery roles in Programme and Project Management including Grangegorman DIT Campus, Luas Cross City, Manchester Metrolink and Heathrow T2.