Chapter 12 Public Transport
The Council welcomes the enhancements to regional bus services since 2016 particularly the 109 NX service to/from Navan. The greatly enhanced town service and associated infrastructure in Navan has the potential to have a transformative effect on the role of bus in the town. The Council recently made comments as part of the Connecting Ireland Public Consultation which included some suggestions on further enhancements to rural services. The Strategy provides strong support for the Council’s proposals for bus infrastructure/services. The Council looks forward to engaging with the NTA on further initiatives to promote the use of bus services in the County.
The Council wishes to commend the efforts of the NTA in the advancement of BusConnects. BusConnects will considerably improve connectivity across the Dublin region. The opportunity exists for the NTA to future proof the system by provision of linkage to adjacent conurbations in Meath and by carrying out improvements on identified transport corridors. The corridors of specific relevance to Meath and suitable for expanded linkages include the R125 Ashbourne - Swords Corridor which will ultimately serve to connect into the proposed Metrolink and Dunboyne and Blanchardstown.
The Council welcomes the inclusion of Measure Rail 4 which supports the provision of a new rail line from the M3 parkway to Navan in the Draft Strategy and the accompanying detail provided in Section 12.4.10. There is National, Regional and Local planning policy support for this project which is set out below.
The Navan Rail Project aligns with and supports the achievement of the following National Strategic Outcomes of the NPF:
- Compact Growth;
- Enhanced Regional Accessibility;
- Sustainable Mobility;
- A strong economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills;
- Transition to a Low carbon economy;
- Access to quality childcare, education and health services.
The project fully supports the strategic investment priority of providing environmentally sustainable public transport.
The Navan Rail project supports the following Regional Strategic Objectives in the RSES:
- Sustainable Settlement Patterns
Better manage the sustainable and compact growth of Dublin as a city of international scale and develop Athlone, Dundalk, Drogheda and a number of key complementary growth settlements of sufficient scale to be drivers of regional growth. (NSO 1, 7, 10).
- Compact Growth and Urban Regeneration
Promote the regeneration of our cities, towns and villages by making better use of under-used land and buildings within the existing built-up urban footprint and to drive the delivery of quality housing and employment choice for the Region’s citizens. (NSO 1).
- Healthy Communities
Protect and enhance the quality of our built and natural environment to support active lifestyles including walking and cycling, ensure clean air and water for all and quality healthcare and services that support human health. (NSO 10).
- Integrated Transport and Land Use
Promote best use of Transport Infrastructure, existing and planned, and promote sustainable and active modes of travel to ensure the proper integration of transportation and land use planning. (NSO 2, 6, 8,9).
- Support the Transition to Low Carbon and Clean Energy
Pursue climate mitigation in line with global and national targets and harness the potential for a more distributed renewables-focused energy system to support the transition to a low carbon economy by 2050. (NSO 8, 9).
- A Strong Economy Supported by Enterprise and Innovation
To build a resilient economic base and promote innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems that support smart specialisation, cluster development and sustained economic growth. (NSO 5,10).
- Improve Education Skills and Social Inclusion
To improve education and develop the right skills to attract employers and retain talent and promote social inclusion to ensure opportunities for quality jobs across the Region. (NSO 5,10).
- Enhanced Strategic Connectivity
Protect and enhance international connectivity and regional accessibility to support economic development, build economic resilience and support strengthened rural communities and economies including the blue-green economy and tourism. (NSO 2, 3, 6).
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027
The provision of a rail line from Pace (M3 Parkway) to Navan remains a key objective of the Council in order to facilitate the future development of Navan, a key town as designated in the RSES.
MOV POL 5 ‘To support the extension of the rail network in the County and to actively and strongly pursue a rail line from Dunboyne/M3 Parkway to Navan subject to proper planning and environmental considerations.’
MOV POL 6 ‘To actively pursue, in conjunction with Irish Rail and the NTA, the re- appraisal of the extension of the Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan during the Mid-Term review of the GDA Transport Strategy in accordance with the precepts of the RSES.’
MOV POL 7 ‘To support the reappraisal and thereafter, promote, facilitate and advance the Dunboyne /M3 Parkway line to Navan railway line project and associated rail services in cooperation with other relevant agencies.’
MOV OBJ 5 ’ (a) To protect and safeguard the detailed designed alignment of Phase II of the Navan rail route and surrounding lands (including identified station locations), as illustrated on Map Series No. 5.1 in Volume 3, free from development and any encroachment by inappropriate uses which could compromise its future development as a rail facility, prior to the reappraisal of the project as part of Mid Term Review of the GDA Transport Strategy in accordance with the precepts of the RSES. (b) As part of the future planning of the Dunboyne/ M3 Parkway line to Navan, the possibility of a spur serving Ashbourne and Ratoath should be explored subject to compliance with national policy and the Railway Order’.
Strong population growth in recent years and under-investment in public transport services within the County has led to unsustainable levels of outbound commuting by way of private car usage. Recognising the unsustainable levels of out bound commuting, the Council is fully committed to the advancement of the rail project which will result in significant economic stimulus, carbon emissions reductions and societal benefits for residents of the county.
The absence of a rail service from Navan to Dublin places the town and wider county at a competitive disadvantage relative to other similar population growth centres within the region, the majority of which are serviced with rail services. Though the NTA have progressive plans to improve bus services, the delivery of critical rail infrastructure would serve to strengthen the transport links in the County and would significantly improve the County’s economic competitiveness. Regionally, the delivery of a rail line would also alleviate land availability pressures in Dublin City and Suburbs in the coming decades, while supporting the Settlement Strategy outlined in the EMRA RSES.
It is essential that the Strategy contains sufficient support and definitive timelines in order to enable the project to proceed to the planning phase without delay. The Railway Order application was substantially complete as was the Environmental Impact Statement and Appropriate Assessment in 2011. The route chosen maintained an alignment largely in keeping with the historic Navan – Dublin rail route and was selected as the preferred option after extensive consultations undertaken by Irish Rail with Meath County Council and all relevant stakeholders. This route alignment has been reserved in the Meath County Development Plan, 2021-2027. The Council welcome further engagement with all relevant stakeholders and recommencement of the preparation of the rail order.
The towns of Ashbourne and Ratoath are the second and fourth largest towns in County Meath with a population of approximately 13,000 and 9,000 respectively. Given the substantial growth of these towns in recent years, due mainly to their strategic proximity to Dublin, it is considered imperative to consider the long-term requirement of these towns beyond the lifetime of the County Development Plan. Given the development pressures and potential for the population growth in these towns, it is considered appropriate to include the potential concept of a rail link, having regard to the long-term sustainability requirements for the towns. These towns are considered significant large towns in an Irish context and it is reasonable to consider that if a rail line were to be developed in relatively close proximity, that a spur of the line should at least be considered in planning for same. It is acknowledged, accepted and agreed that a rail link serving Ratoath and Ashbourne cannot be considered or planned in advance of the delivery of the Navan rail line. Nonetheless, it is requested that the NTA acknowledge that early consideration of rail connectivity to towns of this size in the long-term should be at least explored, when delivery of the Navan rail line is realised.
The Council welcome the inclusion of Measure Rail 1 which supports the Dart+ Programme. The benefits of a sustainable, electrified and more frequent rail service, improving capacity on rail corridors serving Dublin will be of significant benefit to County Meath.
The Dart Coastal Northern Line (Drogheda to Dublin) will contain three train stops in County Meath namely Gormanston, Laytown and Drogheda. It is considered that the proposed works to upgrade this rail line will create a unique opportunity to include a new railway station at Bettystown, the result of which would reduce the number of car dependent trips to Drogheda and Dublin and alleviate the current parking issues at Laytown Train Station Car Park. The development patterns in East Meath and South Drogheda support the provision of an additional station in this locality. It is requested that Measure Rail 6 – New Rail Stations be revised to include the provision of a potential new rail station in Bettystown as part of the Dart Expansion works to Drogheda.
The provision of a further Train Station in the Southern Environs of Drogheda, given its designation as a Regional Growth Centre, would prove beneficial to the growth and economic development of the town and is also worthy of consideration.
The DART + West Line expansion is welcomed. This will reduce the requirement for private car commuting in the area while supporting the planned expansion of population and economic development at settlements such as Dunboyne. In this regard, it is requested that a greater emphasis is placed on the potential for a public transport interchange at M3 Parkway, similar to that at Spencer Dock, Phibsborough/Glasnevin and Broombridge in Dublin. As outlined in the Dunboyne Transport Study, there is potential for greater interaction with the Number 109 Bus Eireann bus as well as the potential for additional bus services, such as Dublin Bus services to be provided at this location. It is suggested that Irish Rail engage with the NTA and the Council with a view to providing an improved public transport interchange at the M3 Parkway as part of the subject project.