Steven Matthews TD, who has been leading on the Wicklow DART extension has welcomed the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review stating that “its level of ambition and investment can provide an intergenerational benefit across an expanded Irish rail network for the next 100 years”. The plan will see the introduction of new rail routes across the country, faster and more frequent rail services and the decarbonisation of the rail system. It is expected that passenger numbers will nearly triple from around 65 million in 2024 to over 180 million by 2050.
Discussing the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, Deputy Matthews said:
“I am delighted to see the publication of this review, to which I made an extensive submission. I worked for 30 years on railway signalling and engineering projects, so I know this is huge and will take commitment and investment now and from future governments. If we follow the recommendations, we will see the transformation of our rail system for everyone in Ireland and the delivery of land for housing served by sustainable transport. This is a very ambitious plan that will massively increase capacity on our rail network. We will see faster rail services, extensive electrification, higher frequencies between towns and over inter-city routes, nearly halving the time it takes to travel between cities including Cork, Dublin, Galway and Belfast.
“As a frequent rail user, I have never seen so many people taking the train. This is the time to expand our rail network and ensure that as many people as possible have the option to travel by train. The All-Island Strategic Plan is a 30 year-plan that will ensure a first-class rail network for the next 100 years. An upgraded network will have benefits for rail users, communities and businesses across Ireland. It will promote balanced regional development and improved connections between our towns and cities. Giving people a good public transport option can remove traffic congestion from our roads for those that want to or need to drive. Crucially, these improvements to the rail system will help us to reduce our carbon emissions in the transport sector and achieve our legally-binding targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2050”.
“Having secured the DART extension to Wicklow Town and Kilcoole in the NTA Greater Dublin Area strategy, it shows that if you have politicians and parties that support rail projects that you can achieve these objectives. The DART extension is my transport priority for Wicklow, I have worked continuously on it for years and expect to see a planning application for it early next year. If returned as TD for Wicklow, I believe we will see a DART service into Wicklow Town in about 3 years” Deputy Matthews concluded.
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