Plans To Close All Level Crossings in South Dublin
August 31 2026
Rail Users Ireland can today reveal that Iarnród Éireann and the NTA have been sitting on a report recommending the closure of all level crossings on the southside of Dublin for 4 years without taking any steps to start public consultation.
Rail Users Ireland made an FOI requst in January 2026 which after an appeal to the Information Commissioner resulted in a single 679 page document being released. This was exclusively revealed in the Irish Times today August 31
Iarnród Éireann, as part of the DART+ South Coastal project, funded by the NTA commissioned Arup consulting engineers to support the project, part of this effort included analysis of how to address the capacity restrictions imposed by the level crossings.
Iarnród Éireann received the report in May 2022 recommending closure of all level crossings, but has not proceeded to public consultation. It appears there is resistance within those in charge at the NTA and Government to proceed to public consultation despite the support of 679 pages of engineering analysis.
The ARUP report clearly expects a public consultation, 'PC1' to follow, but it hasn't, "Consider feedback received from PC1 and update preliminary design accordingly".
The DART line is unique in Ireland that level crossings closures are scheduled by computer to maximise time open to vehicles. Trains are not given full priority and as a result journey times are extended as trains face red and yellow signals as the gates ahead are not closed yet. This has resulted in several extra minutes to millions of individual passenger journeys annually for 42+ years.
Removing the level crossings has significant benefits
- Shorter journeys for both DART and Rosslare/Wexford services
- Removes risk of damage from high winds and motorists damaging the gates, Sandymount Ave and Serpentine Ave being two of the most struck level crossings in the country
- Higher frequency of service possible
- Reduce operating costs as level crossings are expensive to maintain
- Ability to raise the railway level to protect from flooding
- Simpler more reliable signalling
Currently in the busiest hour 15 trains pass through the southside level crossings, future plans are for 24-30 trains per hour. This increase in frequency cannot be delivered without closing all the level crossings.
There is established precendent, the DART+ West Railway order resulted in approval to close all level crossings between Ashtown and Maynooth.
Mark Gleeson, Spokesperson, Rail Users Ireland said; "DART passengers have suffered for 42 years by a compromise to prioritise private cars over the train. The proposals from Irish Rail/Arup offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to replace Merrion Gates with a bridge and to dramatically improve rail performance and capacity."
"While some of the recommendations will clearly raise concerns around local access and impact to existing bus routes, Iarnród Éireann sitting on the report for over 4 years without starting public consultation is ridiculous, why has it not been moved to consultation?"
"This is yet another example of the unwillingness at a Government level to make decisions, projects are delayed and paused. Difficult decisions need to be made and we need leadership willing to make them, otherwise we are left in a never ending game of playing catch up."
Full report may be downloaded from IE_FOI_1030 Response Pack.pdf