As the Deputy is aware, the issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line was considered by the National Transport Authority, NTA, during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035.
The Strategy stated that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre was insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at that current time. Instead, the Strategy proposed an enhanced bus service along the corridor and the development of a bus hub in Navan. In this regard, Bus Éireann introduced a new service on the N2 Corridor in late 2017. Furthermore, Meath County Council, in collaboration with the NTA, is currently progressing the development of a bus hub as provided for by the Transport Strategy.
Importantly, the Transport Strategy clearly states that the issue of a rail link to Navan should be kept under review and that the corridor previously identified for a Navan rail link should be protected from development. This issue remains under review and will be considered again as part of the statutory review of the current Strategy which must be reviewed every six years following publication.
In light of its statutory responsibilites on the matter, I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please contact my office if the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten days.
