Navan Railway Project

Re-opening The Navan Dublin Railway

As stated in the Transport 21 policy document of November 1st 2005, it is now Government Policy to re-open the Navan-Dublin railway (NRP) as part of a comprehensive rail development programme for the whole country. This is to be done in two phases, commencing with the Dublin – Dunboyne (Pace) section and followed by the Dunboyne (Pace) – Navan section. The project when completed will see 15-minute peak hour frequency commuter services into the new City Centre station and 30-minute off-peak.

 

Works on Dublin-Dunboyne Section

Site clearance work was completed on this section in 2007 and work on the first new bridge on the former line has already commenced as part of the M3 works at Dunboyne. Relaying of track is scheduled to begin on the Clonsilla-Dunboyne section of the line, with passenger services scheduled for commencement January 2010.

 

Clonsilla-Pace Section of the Navan line

The construction work involves the relaying of 4.7 miles of track and associated infrastructure, modification of 3 road bridges, 1 new accommodation crossing and the provision of three stations at Hansfield, Dunboyne and Pace (Dunboyne north). The track and signalling will be capable of accommodating both freight and passenger trains.

Completion of studies on Dunboyne-Navan Section

The 2009 Iarnród Éireann Feasability Study has recommended reinstatement of the disused line . During a visit to Navan on 23rd May 2009, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen and the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced that the disused line would be put forward immediately for Railway Order with construction works to begin as soon as possible.

Pace - Navan Section of the Meath Commuter Rail Project

Of a total of nine original options, the Feasability Study confirmed (in keeping with the Clonsilla-Pace section) that the disused line would be reopened with only necessary deviations and alterations to better facilitate Dunshaughlin commuters. A final study by Iarnród Éireann is due to decide the location for Dunshaughlin station in March 2009. Once the Dunshaughlin issue is resolved, Phase Two will advance to Public Inquiry and a Railway Order for completion in 2015.

Transport 21 Funding

[Click to hear Minister Dempsey confirm funding for Transport 21 Meath-Dublin link]

Transport 21 funding for the entire NRP has been ring-fenced since 2005 according to the Minster for Transport Noel Dempsey, and will not be delayed as both phases qualify as a single Strategic Infrastructure Development project.

 

CIÉ Chairman John Lynch and the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey launch the initial programme of works on the Navan line (2008)

In addition to NDP contributions, the Meath commuter rail project will be part-financed by Fingal and Meath County Councils through a programme of development levies over 25 years. The 2007 scoping study confirmed that the NRP meets funding criteria requiring that the project must be economically viable and meet the minimum 4% return required for exchequer funding. Demand modelling in the study found projected passenger patronage on the NRP compares to 50% of that using Hueston station on a daily basis.

Current Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan informs constituents of the Navan developments in his Transport newsletter