Dundalk could see arrival of 200kmh intercity trains

Dundalk may benefit from new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains between Dublin and Belfast, as well as train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes, should recommendations be implemented from the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published today.

The Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland today published the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, developed in the context of the “New Decade, New Approach” agreement. The report, approved for publication by the Irish Government and DfI Minister, sets out a strategic vision for the development of the rail system across the island of Ireland over the coming decades.

The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds and higher service frequencies.

Already, in the coming months, rail services on the island are to be developed towards the Report’s vision. This includes an increase to an hourly train service between Dublin and Belfast, and additional services between Dublin and Galway, while procurement has also started on a new, faster, more sustainable “Enterprise” train fleet for the Dublin-Belfast route.

Among the recommendations in the report that will enhance rail transport in Louth are the development of short sections of new railways on congested corridors.

Two sections of the Dublin-Belfast route are likely to require a four-tracking or new rail alignment solution to accommodate conflicting demands for capacity and deliver a 200 km/h railway. The sections are:

• Belfast – Lisburn – Newry: The existing railway between Newry and Belfast has significant constraints due to its alignment, level crossings, and limited space to add capacity between Lisburn and Belfast. A new railway could deliver significant journey time and capacity benefits for this corridor.
• Dublin – Drogheda: This railway is expected to become busier when the DART network is extended to Drogheda MacBride. The report says that while it is probably technically feasible to four-track this railway – notably between Connolly and Malahide – four-tracking some sections may result in a significant adverse effect on the integrity of several Special Protection Areas and potentially the waterfronts of Malahide and Balbriggan. An alternative approach could be to build a new railway from Drogheda to Clongriffin following the M1 corridor.

The recommendations for rail in the Report have been developed through an evidenced-based review taking into account goals such as connectivity, sustainability and economic feasibility. The Report’s recommendations envisage the following for rail on the island:

• Additional capacity: upgrading much of the single-track rail network to double-track, with four-track in some areas;

• Faster services: new 200kmh (125mph) intercity trains, with rail journey times between cities significantly reduced – in some cases, halved;

• Higher frequency: train services at least hourly between cities and at least every two hours on regional/rural routes;

• Decarbonisation: a net carbon zero rail system, primarily through the overhead electrification of intercity routes and new electric trains;

• Greater reach: the rail network route length would increase from circa 2,300km to almost 3,000km with the reopening of former and new rail lines; 

• Wider access: facilitated by new routes in the North Midlands and North West, 700,000 more people would live within 5km of a railway station;

• More passengers: almost tripling the number of people using the rail system annually from circa 65 million to over 180 million by 2050.

Welcoming publication of the report, Minister for Transport, Ireland, Eamon Ryan, stated: “This is an important day for the island of Ireland. This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail. This vision has been made possible by close cooperation between the Departments and agencies north and south.

"Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development. The Report provides a long-term vision and a series of recommendations for the sustainable development of the rail network on the island. I would like to see the recommendations actioned as soon as possible, and I am pleased that work is now well underway, with European Investment Bank assistance, on how we can move forward.”

DfI Minister, John O’Dowd, stated: “The publication of the Final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, the first of its kind across this island, is historic and I am pleased that we have reached this point. The Report provides an evidence-based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network, and will help us meet our climate commitments. The Review has been an excellent example of joint collaboration on cross-border priorities, and this continued partnership will be key to realising its ambitions. 

“This publication brings us to a new chapter where we can shape a better future for everyone by decarbonising key services and investing in climate adaptation measures, while at the same time supporting economic productivity through projects, policy and legislation. Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities.”