Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if a commitment will be given to carry out a feasibility study to investigate the reopening of the Navan to Kingscourt rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60409/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that a potential re-opening of the line does not feature in the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy; however, as the Deputy knows, the issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan was considered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035. This issue is being considered again as part of the statutory review of the current Strategy. A draft Strategy has recently been published along with all of the background papers that informed its development. The publication of the documentation by the NTA coincided with the launch of a public consultation process on the revised Strategy, which is open until 17th December. I would encourage all interested parties to participate in that consultation process.
The Deputy is also aware that the Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network. That scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the disused line from Navan to Kingscourt.
This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead. The consultation process included in the scope of this Review is open until 21st January 2022 and I would encourage all interested parties to participate.
