DART+ (DART Expansion)

They would prefer to bridge the Redford crossing but they are having difficulties with local landowners to get access to even design a bridge

Level crossing automation requires a ministerial order

Weeks later and late at night and you come out with this.

To be clear, the “study” you posted on your website is the gaslighting. If serious, you are not credible on this topic (or any transport transport one quite frankly).

I doubt the CRR would allow anything like that. Any barrier crossing being effectively permanently closed I bet would have a lot of pedestrians hopping the barriers, even if there is a proper pedestrian bridge. It's already a problem at some of the busier CCTV crossings.

As much as I would have preferred it to be bridged (post D+ the only LCs left would be in Howth and south of Greystones), it's not the busiest section of track and well within what would be expected of a CCTV crossing. I just hope that the CCTV crossing doesn't become too permanent and/or that it doesn't cause any problems with 3tph to Greystones.

I don’t think they have, they have broken it into two separate stages, Stage 1 being the Bray to Greystones capacity enhancements, while stage 2 is everything else including CPO’s.

To clarify I think it's more stage 1 that they are doing as quickly/cheaply as possible, I was very surprised when they decided to move forward without the passing loop north of Greystones.

There could be some good reasons for this, such as reducing the amount of CPOs, not needing a RO, or what I am suspecting is getting D+S under 200m to allow it to progress without having to go to government (If the only major structure/works is at Merrion Gates, the project can only be so expensive).

I also do agree with IÉ's approach for exactly the reasons you say. Assuming they go to close all 6 LCs, they will have their work cut out for them to do that as smoothly and with as little resistance possible. Neither the Cork or Maynooth Line closures went smoothly, and I wouldn't really expect the D+S ones to be either

'People are keying cars and letting air out of tyres': The war over parking in new estates

RESIDENTS IN NEW-build housing estates across Dublin and surrounding commuter belt towns say there is increasing tension in their communities over a lack of adequate car-parking facilities. 

In some instances, residents have reported cars being keyed and air being let out of tyres due to the parking disputes, while some homeowners have opted to install cameras to monitor their assigned parking spots. 

The tension is down to planning policy, which increasingly restricts the number of parking spaces allowed in new developments on the assumption that residents will rely more on public transport – but residents say transport services have not kept pace and are overcrowded and too infrequent. 

Some parts of Dublin have just over half a car parking space designated for every new home. 

In south-west Dublin, Seven Mills has been marketed as one of the country’s newest towns. The pretty rows of houses, apartment blocks and duplexes are a short walk from Clondalkin Fonthill train station, where trains can get residents to the city centre during rush hour in under 30 minutes. 

But for many residents, capacity issues on the train and an infrequent service outside of core commuting times mean that a car is still a necessity. 

Couldn't help reading this and thinking about Darragh O'Briens reckless decision to withdraw funding for DART+ South West, a shovel-ready project that could be started within months, if the political will was there. What's the point of all this public transport policy, planning policy, net zero etc. if when push comes to shove we refuse to fund basic capacity upgrades?

The residents have every right to be furious. Half a million euro for half a parking space?

It's all stick and no carrot.

We only have to grade separate Merrion Gates, the rest of the crossings aren't needed. The distance between crossings then is not much different to the distance between Dr. Troy Bridge and the Clonsilla replacement bridge.

Looks promising. Great to have plans for double track services to Kilcock, with platforms realigned slightly east of the current platform. Puts paid to the idea that you can't fit two tracks under Shaw's bridge.

West, South West, Coastal North, Coastal South. The names are already there.