‘Bitter disappointment’ in Louth as plans for new train station shelved

There is “bitter disappointment” in County Louth as plans for a new train station in Drogheda appear to have been temporarily shelved.

Louth Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne raised the issue at a recent Public Accounts Committee meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Deputy Byrne said: “The new northside train station is a key objective of Louth County Council's Development Plan.

“It has been an aspiration for over two decades. It appeared in new development housing brochures as far back as 20 years ago.

“Many people from Dublin city centre bought houses in Drogheda and moved to the areas in close proximity to the new proposed train station, with a view to commuting to and from work and social engagements with ease.

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“Unfortunately, they are still waiting and their house prices have plummeted and whatnot.”

She mentioned how she raised the issue at a previous meeting of the committee in November of last year.

At that meeting, Garret Doocey of the Department of Transport said: “The future location of a potential train station on the north side of Drogheda will be looked at in the context of engagement between the NTA and Iarnród Éireann as regards priorities for funding over the next couple of years.”

Deputy Byrne went on to outline her frustration that the proposed train station seemed to disappear from the Government’s plans in subsequent publications.

“It came as a bitter disappointment that subsequently, there was no reference to, or mention of, this long-awaited infrastructure in recent announcements relating to the €24 billion National Transport & Sector Investment Plan published in December as part of the National Development Plan Review.

“In fact, the only single reference to Drogheda in the whole plan was a vague reference to potential works, not even confirmed works, on a new platform at the current MacBride Railway Station in Drogheda to make way for the DART+ Coastal North extension before 2030, which is just a rehash of a previously announced project that is already a year behind.”

She continued by highlighting Drogheda’s growing population and the demand for the train station in the area.

“For those who are not familiar with Drogheda, it is the largest town in the country and is projected to become the next city in Ireland.

“It is already meeting the metrics of city status by population, with in excess of 50,000 people living there.

“The population is set to grow by 20,000 in the coming years as a result of massive housing development on the north side of Drogheda, where the aforementioned train station is located.

“That development, combined with supporting infrastructure, including a new IDA Ireland park and new sporting and amenity facilities planned for the area, means that this north-side train station is needed more than ever.”

Deputy Byrne concluded by asking what engagement there has been between the NTA and Louth County Council on the subject.

She also requested that a review of the proposed development be carried out.

In response to Deputy Byrne, NTA Chief Executive Hugh Creegan said that Louth’s rail infrastructure is outside the NTA’s remit.

Mr Creegan said: “Because that location is in Louth, it falls outside our statutory remit in terms of rail infrastructure.

“It is not part of the greater Dublin area transport strategy, so we have not looked at it closely yet.

“It is something we could look at with the Department and Irish Rail in terms of the logic or concept but it is not provided for, funding wise, in the current sectoral transport plan.

“In terms of getting a start and looking at it, between ourselves, Irish Rail and the Department, that could be picked up.

“I am not sure about later this year but certainly next year could be a target in terms of looking at that, to see what the feasibility is.”

Mr Creegan concluded by saying that there is currently no engagement between the NTA and Irish Rail on the subject.

The comments came at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee which examined the NTA’s financial statements of 2024.