Irish Rail is set to lodge planning permission for Dublin’s newest DART station at Woodbrook, between Shankill and Bray.
The rail network’s 32nd station will form part of the Woodbrook Strategic Housing Development serving a population of more than 5,000 people.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) will fund the building of the station and a planning application is set to be lodged before the week is out.
The new station will have two 174 metre platforms to accommodate full size eight-carriage DARTs.
It will also feature a connecting bridge between the platforms with ramps and stairs to ensure access for those with reduced mobility.
Jim Meade, chief executive of Iarnrod Eireann, said: “Bringing the DART to a brand new community is an exciting prospect for us in Iarnrod Eireann and designing a community to have public transport central to how it functions is exemplary planning.
“We look forward to working with the NTA, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, and developers Castlethorn in delivering our newest DART station to Woodbrook.”
Elsewhere the first phase of public consultation for DART+ West, which could treble capacity from Maynooth to the city centre, has been launched.
It envisages a new service to Maynooth/M3 Parkway on the Sligo line, to Hazelhatch and Celbridge on the Kildare line and from the city to Drogheda on the Northern line.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the project will have a “hugely positive impact” on areas providing “an integrated, electrified, fast and reliable rail network”.
The extension will provide transport links for Glasnevin, Broombridge, Pelletstown, Ashton, Castleknock, Coolmine, Clonsilla and Leixlip.
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North West, Paul McAuliffe, welcomed the news.
He said: “The expansion to Maynooth/M3 Parkway will involve the electrification of 40km of track and increase capacity from seven services an hour to 15 which increase passenger numbers from 4,500 to 13,750.
“DART+ West is the first phase of a programme that will eventually see the electrification of other lines bringing the service to Celbridge and Drogheda.
“I would encourage the public to engage with the public consultation process and have their voices heard on this which will be a transformation for the city.”
