DART coming to Maynooth line in 2024

Yes but in fairness that is a unique situation and it’s taken years of planning and proposals just to get to this stage.

I haven’t read the full facts for the bridge you are referring to. I know it is in phase 2. Usually these things would need to be built in order for them to sell or rent the properties within phase 2. Most developments these days that require green space have this requirement.

What in the bejaysus is that monstrosity?

Apparently Vanilla does not like to keep pasted images at their original size. https://www.dartplus.ie/S3mvc/media/DART-West/Emerging%20Preferred%20Option/Clonsilla-aerial-view.jpg for the original size.

Mother of God. That is horrendous.

That's exactly what it is.

All of the plans are on the DART+ website:

https://www.dartplus.ie/en-ie/projects/dart-west/public-consultation-round-2/dart-west-preferred-option

There are similar bridges planned for Coolmine and Porterstown.

Given the height that is required to safely clear the overhead wires, the ramps for cyclists are going to have to be long.

It is what it is I guess. Presume the incline has to be gentle enough for wheelchair users and that means it has to be very, very long.

I just hope they retain the existing footbridges cos I don't fancy that trek every time.

Adding to what LXFlyer said, the footbridges between platforms are to be retained.

The new pedestrian/cyclist bridges (with long inclines to accommodate wheelchair users) also have 'shortcut' steps that bring you to the top of the bridge.

In the Coolmine one: https://www.dartplus.ie/S3mvc/media/DART-West/Emerging%20Preferred%20Option/Coolmine-aerial-view.jpg

On the left you can see these steps beside the 'roundabout'/drop off point.

In my submission I did suggest that the sides of the bridge NOT be concrete as this would prevent someone approaching the bridge from seeing whether there were people hanging around along the bridge. This is not what is shown in the above image. I guess Irish Rail will say that it prevents people from aiming stuff to throw at a train. I said that the pedestrian bridge over the M50 at 12th Lock/tennis club is wire and has thousands of cars passing under it without issue.

You never had to buy online for that trip - only Intercity.

Just use LEAP or buy at the station.

There's a bridge being offered, you've been told on other threads why it's not possible to retain the crossing and increase the services. I hope you fail (and I say that with no ill will to you)

I hope they don't give in to any unreasonable demands from locals. It's an attempt to optimise the rail line so inevitably residents nearby will be disaffected to some degree. The aim is to improve the rail service, not a minority who happen to live nearby.

By all means listen to what they have to say, but there needs to be an objective view taken on it from those in Irish Rail based on a cost-benefit analysis of all options.

I see there's big objections to the Ashtown proposals because a stable will be demolished as a result. To abandon the current proposals to save a stable that could be relocated elsewhere is just madness.

Anyone at any of the public meetings with the local politicians. What was the general opinion?

Basically it's because the road and canal are at the same level at Ashtown so the tunnel doesn't need to go too deep.

At Coolmine, the canal is five or ten metres below the road, so the tunnel would have to be probably 20 metres below ground. And as a former quarry, it's all solid rock.

I don't think a tunnel is viable for Coolmine at all.

What about the option in the first consultation where the track was lowered so that it would run under the current level crossing?

It was ruled out because of cost but would it be really *that* expensive?

I cycle along Coolmine Road a few times a week and it is my least favourite road in the area because I am frequently overtaken closely. It's intimidating and over scary. With the level crossing closed it will become a nice road to cycle along. Maybe the increased traffic on Dr Troy Bridge might make some others realise that cycling to St Francis Xavier school or Tesco or Supervalu or Blanch Centre is better than driving.

The gates would be down the whole time for the duration of rush hours, then it would be grand for the other 80% of the day.

The alternative of sending all the current traffic to one of two other busy bridges doesn't just inconvenience the residents in the immediate vicinity, it will shaft literally everyone in D15 who needs a car or bus to get around.

You are correct though, it would add complexity to the signalling and that's why IE don't want to do it. But it is 100% not an absolute prerequisite for the project that all crossings be closed.

Plenty of room to put tunnel in place at Stationcourt/Riverwood. Just needs to be longer to go under canal. Less unsightly and disruptive than bridge for local residents.

I wonder how many people actually use the stables at Ashtown, compared to the number of people who would benefit from a better rail line? The place always looked deserted to me, but suddenly it's an important amenity? Just move it somewhere else then.