South Dublin faces weekend Dart disruption over summer
Iarnród Éireann yesterday apologised to passengers for the suspension of normal services between Pearse and Greystones for the next 14 weeks.
However, a company spokesperson explained such work was necessary as part of a €176 million upgrade project to extend all station platforms to accommodate eight-carriage trains as well as improve signalling systems and replace overhead power lines.
Iarnród Éireann said work on the southside would focus on improving access for mobility-impaired customers at a number of stations.
At a meeting of an Oireachtas Committee earlier this week, Iarnród Éireann’s acting chief executive, Dick Fearn blamed objections by An Taisce against planning permission for such work as an important reason for further disruption to services.
However, the company was also forced to admit that unrelated problems over other property and planning issues had only emerged during an initial works phase on the southside over a 10-month period which ended last July.
The need for further disruption has been widely criticised by commuters and business interests in south Dublin and north Wicklow.
However, Dublin Bus services along the DART line on the city’s southside will be doubled during the works period to cater for additional passengers.
Work on the DART line at weekends and public holidays will last until September 11, excluding August 20-21 when services will be restored for the Bray Air Show.
The suspension of weekend DART services on the southside coincides with the resumption of normal services between Connolly Station and Howth and Malahide.
Upgrade work on the southside will also impact on commuter and intercity services to Gorey and Rosslare. Normal weekend services from the south-east will operate as far as
Greystones with special bus services available to transport passengers between Greystones and Connolly.
