Darren O'Rourke
Question:
183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the DART+ Coastal North project will make provision for additional rail capacity between Connolly and Malahide stations; if the existing plans will mean that Enterprise services between Dublin and Belfast will have to slow on this section of track to accommodate the additional DART services on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63796/22]
View answer
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
I am writing to you concerning the matter you raised in Parliamentary Question No. 183 on 18 January last which has been referred to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for reply.
Currently the DART system operates (approximately) a 10 minute frequency DART service between Connolly and Howth Junction, and a 20 minute frequency DART service from Howth Junction to Malahide plus between Howth Junction and Howth.
Under DART+ Coastal North, it is intended to operate a shuttle service between Howth and Howth Junction, running at a 10 minute frequency. Onward journeys into the city centre requires an interchange with the Malahide to Connolly DART service. This arrangements allows all of the DART services coming from Connolly Station to continue to Malahide, meaning a 10 minute frequency between Malahide and Connolly. This represents a doubling of frequency for users of Clongriffin, Portmarnock and Malahide stations over the current arrangements.
On the issue of the potential slowing down of the Enterprise service where it shares the track with the DART services, this is something that will be assessed as part of a detailed timetable simulation exercise which will be carried out at a later stage. There is certainly the potential that the increased level of DART service will have an adverse impact on the Enterprise journey time, but some of this can be mitigated by more optimal timetabling. Until Iarnoid Eireann have carried out and completed that work, we cannot be definitive on the impacts.
On an overall basis, the emerging preferred option of the Northern Line as part of the DART+ Coastal North element of the overall DART+ Programme was the subject of a public consultation process early last year. A significant level of submissions was received during that public consultation process, with a number of issues raised requiring further assessment. Iarnród Éireann are currently working on revisiting and updating the option selection studies relating to this project taking into consideration feedback provided by the public and the relevant stakeholders during the public consultation process. A second round of public consultation in respect of the DART+ Coastal North project is expected in Q2 2023.
I hope that the above information is of assistance.
