Rail services return to Dunboyne once again

Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, suggested that people should start using the new Dunboyne M3 Commuter Rail line straight away in order to make sure a return on the investment is made and in order to expedite the next phase of the line to Navan. He was speaking as he officially opened the new rail line and stations at Dunboyne and Pace last Thursday. "I look forward to the day that it will go the whole way to Navan," he said, adding that he was determined it would. The chairman of Iarnrod Eireann, John Lynch, reiterated the rail company's commitment to the extension of the line to Navan, saying that a great deal of the detailed work is done on it, and that the project was part and parcel of Transport 21. Mr Dempsey said it is an indication of the commitment to the Navan line that the railway order would be ready for submission to An Bord Pleanala next March, rather than the earlier scheduled date of May. "That should convince the 'Doubting Thomases' that we are serious and intend to continue the project," the minister said. He said he was delighted to be in Dunboyne to open the rail line to the town and M3 Parkway Station a few miles further on. He recalled getting a letter from Phil Sheridan, the secretary of the local Fianna Fail cumann, back in the 1990s, asking that the line be reopened. The line was first opened about 148 years ago, but 63 years ago, the service to Dunboyne was discontinued. "This is a historic day as it's not alone the third rail line to be reopened in a little over 12 months, but is also the first rail line to be reopened in the Greater Dublin Area under Transport 21," the minister said. The journey time from Dunboyne to the Docklands train station in Dublin city centre is 30 minutes, a great incentive for commuters to reduce car use and convert to public transport. Services will operate at half-hour intervals at peak time and hourly at off-peak. This level of service will build to greater frequency as demand increases, Iarnrod Eireann said. Trains running along the 7.5 kilometre line will call at the new stations at Pace, the 'M3 Parkway', and Dunboyne. "In addition, another new station at Hansfield is ready and waiting to open once an access road is built. "I am hopeful that this will be provided soon and I understand that Irish Rail are working with the relevant parties to deliver this," Mr Dempsey said. There will be 1,200 spaces at the park and ride facility at the M3 interchange, making it the largest park and ride facility in the country. In addition, there will be 300 spaces at Dunboyne which will facilitate those travelling from longer distances. Mr Dempsey added: "I am pleased that the new stations provide full accessibility for mobility and visually impaired passengers because, as I have emphasised before, we must make it as easy as possible for all passengers to use public transport services." The second phase of the Navan rail project involves the reopening of the next 34 kilometres of railway line from the new station at M3 Parkway to a station just north of Navan. Four stations are proposed along the route - at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Central and Navan North. Cllr Ann Dillon Gallagher, cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, said it was great to see the rail line returning to the heart of Meath again, and outlined the council's role in the establishment of the new facility and service. The new line, combined with the recent opening of the M3 motorway, would provide a major boost to the economic development of the county, she said. "This is a great day for the people of our area," Deputy Mary Wallace said. "I would like to thank all the people who have worked with me along the way to help bring this project to fruition." Deputy Wallace was particularly pleased that so many local people turned out to meet the first train to the area in 63 years. She said she had met many local people who remembered the last train 63 years ago when the line was closed, and it was a day for great memories and special celebrations. "I would be interested in getting feedback from commuters to find out their overall experience using this new train service. I wish all who use this new service a safe and pleasant journey," Deputy Wallace said. Meath Green Party secretary, Seán " Buachalla, and Senator Dominic Hannigan of the Labour Party also welcomed the opening of the Dunboyne to Dublin Docklands rail service as a welcome start on improving transport services for Meath-based commuters, with the senator renewing his call for clarity around the last phase of the rail project, the Dublin to Navan rail line. "Transport Minister Dempsey may insist the Dublin-Navan rail link hasn't been put on the long finger but the fact is the last stage of the €500 million development is not among the Government's key strategic projects announced in the capital review programme, nor is it included among their medium to long term goals," said Senator Hannigan. A special train last Thursday taking dignitaries from Docklands to Dunboyne for the ceremony was originally due to depart Docklands Station at 11.30am, but departure was delayed until 12 noon as the funeral of Micheala Davis, the young girl who was found dead close to her home in Porterstown, Dublin, the previous weekend, was taking place in Clonsilla.