[article] Taoiseach signals progress on Navan Rail link

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey with a map of the Navan rail route

Dept of Transport Press Release, 21 May 2009

Visiting Navan today (Thursday, 21 May 2009) the Taoiseach welcomed the progress that is being made on the proposed Navan Rail link.

“Even though we are dealing with a very difficult economic situation, we are also planning for the continuing development of towns such as Navan.”

“Work is already well underway on the first phase of the Navan rail link. This involves reopening seven and a half km of railway line running off the Maynooth line, at Clonsilla, to a proposed M3 interchange at Pace, near Dunboyne.”

“There will be three new stations at Hansfield, Dunboyne and a major Park and Ride facility at Pace.”

“When it opens, this rail line will provide commuters with a train every fifteen minutes in the morning and evening peak hour into Docklands Station in Dublin city centre”.

“Irish Rail is making good progress constructing the Clonsilla to Dunboyne section and it remains on target to open for services in autumn next year.”

The Taoiseach went on to say that Irish Rail has also made good progress in planning for the next phase of expansion and has now completed the feasibility study on phase II of the Navan Line, from Dunboyne to Navan.

“Irish Rail recently submitted the feasibility study to Government. It examined two possible routes in great detail – an option A which runs along the original railway alignment and an option B which is a new route to the east of Dunshaughlin.”

“On the basis of the detailed analysis carried out by Irish Rail the preferred option has emerged as option A or the original railway alignment.”

“The chosen option A of the original railway alignment had a number of advantages as it:

• Provides a better economic rate of return for the State’s investment
• It can be provided at significantly lower cost
• Was the preferred option from the public consultation carried out by Irish Rail – with over 80% indicating a preference for option A
• Has a shorter journey time to Dublin of 59 minutes as opposed to 62 minutes for option B.

“On the basis of this analysis we will now be asking Irish Rail to proceed with the necessary preparations for a railway order application,” An Taoiseach concluded.

View Navan Railway Feasability Study Map