Ireland’s An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved the Railway Order application for the DART+ Coastal North project, which will extend the electrified DART network from Malahide to Drogheda. Lodged in July 2024, the application marks a significant step in expanding commuter rail services under Project Ireland 2040, funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The extension will nearly double capacity on the Northern commuter route, increasing peak hourly capacity in each direction from around 4,800 to 8,800 passengers once complete. The enhanced services, subject to demand, will be determined through a future timetable consultation with the NTA.
Jim Meade, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said:
“Today is a great day for the communities of North Dublin and Louth. The provision of DART services will transform commuting for the existing and new communities along this railway corridor. It will make travelling with us more sustainable, more frequent and more reliable. This is the third DART+ project to receive planning. The DART+ programme, when delivered, will truly revolutionise commuting in the Greater Dublin Area and assist in meeting Ireland’s climate action targets by reducing reliance on the private car and providing sustainable high-frequency, high-capacity transport.”
Key infrastructure works
The DART+ Coastal North project involves a comprehensive package of infrastructure improvements, including:
- 37 km of electrification and re-signalling between Malahide and Drogheda MacBride Station.
- Reconstruction of track layouts around Drogheda MacBride, Malahide, Clongriffin and Howth Junction & Donaghmede, including a new platform at Drogheda MacBride Station.
- Infrastructure enabling both direct Howth–city services and Howth shuttle operations.
- Civil, bridge and ancillary works to support the expansion.
- Upgrades to Howth Junction & Donaghmede Station.
- Modifications to Fairview and Drogheda depots to accommodate the new DART+ train fleet.
- A train turnback facility north of Malahide, designed to avoid bringing operations closer to residential areas.
Next steps
Procurement will now begin for a design-and-build contractor. Following the award of the contract, a detailed design phase will commence before construction begins. Subject to funding allocation, the construction phase is expected to take around three years.
The approval has been welcomed by national and local stakeholders as a key step in expanding sustainable transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Hugh Creegan, Deputy CEO of the NTA, said:
“This approval of DART+ Coastal North is a significant milestone in the transformation of rail services in the Greater Dublin Area and for the communities across North Dublin, East Meath and Louth. This is more than about infrastructure. It is about connecting growing communities with sustainable, frequent and reliable transport that supports local development and helps reduce car dependency.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien added:
“I welcome today’s planning decision in relation to DART+ Coastal North, which enables overhead electric wires to be extended from Malahide to Drogheda. This will facilitate a significant improvement in train capacity and frequency on the Northern commuter line, following procurement and construction. In the meantime, I look forward to the launch of the new DART+ battery-electric train fleet, which will initially be deployed on the Northern line between Dublin and Drogheda, providing a noticeable boost to commuters along the route.”
Share on:
