Dart must be extended to Drogheda- O’Dowd

The Dart should be extended to Drogheda, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Fergus O’Dowd, said the extension of the line to the Louth town would be a huge advantage to commuters.

Deputy O’Dowd said: “I am calling for the Dart to be extended as far as Drogheda.

“An extension of the Dart line would mean increased capacity and shorter waiting times, especially at rush hours.

“The extension of the Dart line would make a huge difference to the life of commuters, cutting journey times and increasing frequency.

“It would also be hugely advantageous to motorists who are currently choosing to drive to Dublin due to overcrowding and delays on the train, cutting commuting times and hours spent in traffic.

“Budget 2018 provided €230 million in funding for mainline rail and Dart capacity enhancement and will allow acceleration of the initial stages of the overall Dart Expansion Programme.

“Work will soon begin on extending the service to Balbriggan and Maynooth, and I am calling for Drogheda to be included in the expansion. This would make a huge difference to our community.

“Population growth north of the current limits of the Dart has increased greatly in recent years and it is now time to think logically about the future and extend the service as soon as possible.”

ENDS