The city centre resignalling scheme is unlikely to be completed for at least 18 months to two years. It is essentially a renewal of end of life assets with some additional intermediate signals, a purpose designed turnback at Grand Canal Dock and a partial reconfiguration of signals on the Howth branch to reduce delays for motorists at level crossings. A new loop and third platform at Clongriffin provides some operaltional flexibility in the northbound direction but track has not been provided for the matching facility in the citybound direction.
While the new signalling will facilitate more trains, north of Grand Canal Dock, the proposed pattern of operations will result in journey time penalties of as much as twenty minutes for the majority of passengers travelling beyond Howth Junction.
The resignalling project does not form the basis for a reliable or worthwhile service to the airport or for significant useful expansion of services north of Connolly.
The main practical benefit of the scheme will be the ability to run additional trains northbound from Grand Canal Dock, some of which will run towards Kildare via the Phoenix Park tunnel.
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