10 years is too long for a reopening Navan railway line

meath | environment | news report

Wednesday November 02, 2005 01:57

by Meath on Track

Proposal contained in Transport 21 needs immediate implementation

There are serious concerns over the 10 year timescale outlined in the announcement Transport 21 proposal relating to the Navan railway line.

In 1859, it took only 3 years to clear & build the 26 mile Navan line by hand, using picks and shovels. Work commenced in October 1859 and was completed in August 1862 - surely the line can be reopened much earlier than 2015 using modern track laying technology along the old allignment?

Meath on Track

Meath on Track welcomes the proposal to reopen the Dublin Navan railway contained in the Transport 21 proposal.

However, there are serious concerns over the 10 year timescale outlined in the announcement.

Living in Meath and working in Dublin will be made much easier by the reintroduction of rail services, but 2015 is too long a wait for reopening of the Navan railway line.

Phase 1 of the plan to Dunboyne (due to be completed by 2009) isn't a real rail solution for Meath as 9/10 of the line will be in Dublin. The entire Navan railway line must be reopened as soon as possible, not in 10 years time.

In 1859, it took only 3 years to clear & build the 26 mile Navan line by hand, using picks and shovels. Work commenced in October 1859 and was completed in August 1862 - surely the line can be reopened much earlier than 2015 using modern track laying technology along the old allignment?

In the meantime, Meath on Track are calling on the Government to reopen the existing Navan to Dublin freight line (via Drogheda) to commuter trains as a 65mins journey is far better than the 2 hour each way daily commutes currently facing Meath Commuters. Platform 11 have identified capacity on the Drogheda to Dublin line for this interim proposal.

Indeed, immediately introducing 2 express commuter trains on this existing line, twice a day could take up to 1,500 cars off the N3 at Blanchardstown, meaning those that can not use this service will benefit from an easing in congestion on the N3, both in Meath and on the M50 approaches.

The Meath on track proposals must be met immediately, and without prevarication to protect our economy and quality of life of Meath's citizens, and those further out in Cavan. There is no other way to ease congestion on the N3 in Blanchardstown and on Meath's roads.

Please sign the Meath on Track petition to ensure that living in Meath and working in Dublin ceases to be the nightmare it is at present, as soon as possible.