Dunboyne (M3) Commuter Rail
Proposal
This project proposes to construct a twin track railway line from the planned M3 Interchange at Pace through to Clonsilla Station linking into the city centre at the new Docklands Station, providing a new service for commuters along the route. The proposed length of the new line between the M3 Interchange and Clonsilla is 7.5km and follows the route of the old Navan Branch. Three new stations will be constructed, at Hansfield, Dunboyne and Pace, which also comprises a major Park and Ride facility.
History
The new section of track follows the old Navan branch which operated for over a hundred years, commencing service on the 29th August 1862. Passenger services were suspended temporarily at times during the second world war due to fuel shortages and finally suspended on 27th January 1947. Goods traffic continued to use the line until it was closed completely by Coras Iompair Eireann on 1st April 1963. The track was lifted and most of the land disposed of.
Project Background
The DTO 'Platform for Change' document published in March 2000 recommended re-opening the Navan - Dunboyne - Clonsilla railway line. Re-opening the line is also an objective of Meath County Council's development plan and is included in the government's Transport 21 programme.
The reopening of the first phase of the line from Clonsilla to the M3 Interchange at Pace was thus examined in a feasibility study completed in January 2005. This report was undertaken with the support of Meath and Fingal County Councils and the Dublin Transportation Office. The outcome of this study found the project as proposed, reinstating the railway line from Clonsilla to the proposed M3 interchange at Pace, to be economically viable.
The planned route follows the alignment of the former railway line. The alignment is still intact and largely free of development although no longer in CIÉ ownership. The route distance is approximately 5 kilometres to Dunboyne plus a further 2.5 kilometres to a proposed Park and Ride site adjoining the M3 at Pace. Pace (M3) to Navan is scheduled to open in 2015 under the Government’s Transport 21 investment programme.
On the 7th September 2007 Iarnród Éireann applied to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order (the equivalent of planning permission for new rail schemes). The Railway Order process allows all interested parties to make submissions in relation to the project. An Oral hearing was held between 10th and 14th December 2007 in An Bord Pleanála Offices, Marlborough Street. An Bord Pleanála granted the order on the 28th February 2008. This is effectively a document which gives permission for the works to proceed.
Current Status
Construction works on the double track line between Clonsilla and Pace commenced in December 2008. A number of haul roads and work compounds have been installed at various locations along the line. The construction works which will take place as part of the project include:-
- service diversions
- fencing and boundary treatments
- accommodation roads
- drainage works
- earthworks
- bridge works
- station construction including car parks at Dunboyne and Pace
- track and signalling installations
It is anticipated that works will be completed and the railway line will be operational in 2010.
Under the Railway Order, Iarnród Éireann displayed the full plans for the Project at various locations for a period of six weeks from the 12th September to 24th October 2007. The full Railway Order documentation is still available on the Iarnród Éireann website.
The documents include:
- Draft of the proposed order
- Plans of the proposed railway works
- A book of reference to the plan, indicating owners and occupiers of lands described in the plans
- Environmental Impact Statement, in full and summary form
View Scheme Drawings
Draft Railway Order
