Green light for DART extension

Irish planning body An Bord Pleanála has approved an extension of Dublin’s DART network, two years after the application for the Railway Order was lodged in July 2022, but without the proposed new depot.

The application from Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the DART+West line to Maynooth and M3 Parkway included plans for a new station at Spencer Dock (to interchange with Luas Red Line trams), a second station entrance on Preston Street, and rail capacity enhancements at Connolly station.

However, the proposal to build a depot west of Maynooth station, to maintain the new DART+ fleet, was rejected.

Concerns included noise, air pollution, and visual impact on the local community, while the depot’s location in a floodplain was said to present significant flood risks that were inadequately addressed. The board also said alternative locations had not been thoroughly explored.

IÉ welcomed the planning approval as a “crucial milestone” and said it would explore other options for the construction of a depot.