Design team for Navan rail line to be appointed shortly

The planning process for the Navan rail line project is to start shortly.

Iarnrod Eireann had confirmed the company is at an advanced stage in the tender process for multi-disciplinary consultants to start the process.

The NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy targets the opening of the rail line in the early 2030s, as a continuation of the current line from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway, just west of Dunboyne.

The proposal is to extend the rail system from the M3 Parkway terminus station to Navan town, serving Dunshaughlin and Kilmessan along its route.

The project will be funded by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040.

Cllr Aisling Dempsey welcomed the news.

"The restoration of the Navan rail line is a project that will bring enormous benefits to Meath West.

"It is something that I and many other political representatives here have called for, particularly Senator Shane Cassells, whose efforts in advocating for the restoration of the line must be recognised.

"The restoration of the line is getting closer, and I will, if elected as a TD for Meath West, do everything I can to help see it to completion.

"The people of Navan need infrastructure. The economic opportunities the reopening of the line would provide for Meath West would be transformative."

However Deputies Johnny Guirke and Darren O’Rourke, while welcoming the progress have raised serious concerns regarding the future of the project.

Deputy Johnny Guirke stated, “The challenge is that with €100 billion in projects proposed, only €30 billion has been allocated. The Navan Rail project is not included in this funding, and without a firm commitment from the Government, we risk significant delays.”

Deputy Darren O’Rourke emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “The absence of funding in the National Development Plan for pre-2030 guarantees that the Navan Rail project will face interruptions. Delays bring risks that could jeopardize the entire initiative, which is vital for the development of County Meath.”

Both TDs are calling on all political parties to include a commitment to this project in their election manifestos.