Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West Aisling Dempsey has welcomed the publication by Iarnród Éireann of the Emerging Preferred Route for the new Navan Railway, which will provide direct DART services between Navan and Dublin city centre.
The proposed 34-kilometre electrified rail line will extend the existing route from M3 Parkway and include new stations at Dunshaughlin, Kilmessan, Navan Central and Navan North. The project will allow for services every 15 minutes during peak times between Navan and Dublin Connolly Station, significantly improving public transport connectivity for commuters across Meath.
Speaking on the announcement, Deputy Dempsey said:
“Towns like Navan have grown in size in recent years and it is essential that it has the much-needed infrastructure to reflect this growth.
“Today’s plan gives the Navan rail project a clear direction that the public can now engage with to give their views and feedback on how best this rail project can serve these communities. This project will be for the community so it is the community have their say in how best it will benefit them.
“This is a transformative project that when completed will benefit people of Meath for generations to come, as Meath continues to grow in size and regional importance it is important that we have strong viable alternatives to car travel, and what is published today is putting that reality in place.”
The planned route largely follows the original railway corridor which closed in 1963 and aims to provide a reliable and sustainable alternative to car travel. Journey times between Navan and Dublin are expected to be approximately 60 minutes, with capacity for up to 4,400 passengers in each direction per hour. Three Park and ride facilities are also planned at Kilmessan, Dunshaughlin and Navan North.
Communities along the proposed corridor, along with other stakeholders, are now being invited to provide feedback on the plans as part of the public consultation process. The project forms part of the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy and is funded through the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority.
The development also supports key national policies including the National Development Plan Review 2025, Climate Action Plan 2025 and the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, while aligning with the Meath County Development Plan.
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