Major €1.5 billion plan to bring Dart to Kildare held up by legal challenges

A top official in the National Transport Authority has told Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly that it will be late 2026 or early 2027 before work on any construction can begin on DART+ West – but only if the legal challenges can be resolved.

The project to electrify the line from Dublin Connolly station to Maynooth was given the go-ahead when An Bord Pleanala approved the Railway Order in July 2024 after a two year deliberation.

Hugh Creegan, the interim CEO of the NTA told Deputy Farrelly in reply to a parliamentary question that construction on the Railway Order cannot proceed until these proceedings have been adjudicated upon or withdrawn.

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Deputy Farrelly said: “This project is a long over-due investment in transport infrastructure that will see twice as many trains serving the northern part of our county - serving up to 13,000 people per hour compared to 5,000 now.

“DART+ West is exactly the kind of investment that is needed to support the growing population of our communities in north Kildare, something successive governments have failed to do.

“The plans to create a new public realm at Preston Street in the North Inner City is now on hold. The plan by Irish Rail to construct a new entry/exit points that would link the outer platforms of Connolly Station to Amiens street a very much welcome. These works will enhance the commuter experience for not only Dart users on the Kildare western line but also the North/South lines."

He added: "And it has the potential to significantly reduce traffic congestion by providing a convenient, accessible and reliable alternative mode of transport for the thousands of commuters who live in Kildare and work or study in Dublin, and vice versa.”

The legal challenges are being made by two companies in the Ashtown area who had expressed concerns at an An Bord Pleanala hearing that their operations could be significantly affected by land acquisition and road works associated with the project.

It is believed the hearings will come before the High Court on June 23 next and could take up to three days. A delay could push the start of construction well into 2027 or beyond.