Letters have been issued to the landowners along the route, each with statutory “Notice to Treat” information, that signals CIÉ’s intention to acquire property interests required for the scheme.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “The acquisition of land is a crucial step in working towards the delivery of DART+ South West, which will help provide a significant uplift in services along the rail line from Hazelhatch and Celbridge to Heuston Station and will also provide access to key strategic housing development such as at Adamstown.

“I also look forward to the progression of the procurement for this project, with frameworks to be established under DART+ West later this year, supporting the delivery of DART+ South West.”

Minister O’Brien added: “The DART+ Programme is a priority for Government, tripling the electrification and doubling the capacity of the rail network in and out of Dublin city, benefiting people across the Greater Dublin Area and beyond. I am happy to see the DART+ South West project progressing.”

The National Transport Authority said DART+ South West will deliver substantial benefits for passengers through increased capacity, more frequent services and improved reliability on a key commuter corridor.

The National Transport Authority said DART+ South West will deliver substantial benefits for passengers through increased capacity, more frequent services and improved reliability on a key commuter corridor.

News in 90 seconds – Tuesday 3rd February

DART+ South West is funded by the National Transport Authority under Project Ireland 2040, and the EU Structural Development Fund.

The route goes from Hazelhatch and Celbridge through Adamstown, Clondalkin and Fonthill, Parkwest and Cherry Orchard, a new station at Heuston West and Drumcondra.

The project will quadruple passenger capacity from 5,000 to 20,000 per hour per direction, thanks to electrification, new trains, and expanded infrastructure.

Key upgrades include 20km of electrification and re‑signalling between Hazelhatch, Celbridge and Heuston and the south city via Phoenix Park Tunnel.

There will be construction of a new Heuston West station serving Clancy Quay and Island Bridge, four‑tracking of the rail line from Park West and Cherry Orchard to Heuston, civil and bridge works and an upgraded Phoenix Park Tunnel. New electric DART carriages will also be deployed on the Hazelhatch and Celbridge services.

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann, said: “Today marks the commencement of the formal process to begin works on DART+ South West project.

“Although phasing for funding for the project is still under discussion, land acquisition must commence to complete the compulsory purchase orders within the statutorily allotted time within the railway order, which is 18 months from when the Railway Order received its approval.

“The provision of DART services will transform commuting for the existing and new communities along this railway corridor.

“It will also have significant benefits for Intercity customers, as the project includes the completion of the four track section of the route between Hazelhatch and Celbridge and Heuston, which will deliver greater segregation of Intercity and DART+/Commuter services, leading to journey time improvements and greater operationally flexibility at Heuston.”

Eoin Gillard, assistant director of transport investment at the National Transport Authority, said the project would “deliver substantial benefits for passengers through increased capacity, more frequent services and improved reliability on a key commuter corridor”.

The National Transport Authority said DART+ South West will deliver substantial benefits for passengers through increased capacity, more frequent services and improved reliability on a key commuter corridor.

The National Transport Authority said DART+ South West will deliver substantial benefits for passengers through increased capacity, more frequent services and improved reliability on a key commuter corridor.

News in 90 seconds – Tuesday 3rd February