Pressure on Louth train stations follows bumper demand for cross-border service

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Passenger demand for the cross-border Enterprise service has jumped by over 40% in the last year, but the increase is putting pressure on train stations in Louth, Irish Rail admitted this week.

The Argus and Drogheda Independent contacted Irish Rail to highlight the difficulties faced by commuters, from a lack of parking at stations to train service capacity, and the calls from local councillors for a new station in north Drogheda.

The rail company have come in for sharp criticism from Louth councillors, with the Mayor of Drogheda, Cllr. Michelle Hall, saying: “Irish Rail are not taking us seriously,” during a debate at Louth County Council’s December meeting.

In response, Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann said: “We have engaged with a number of Louth elected representatives, both Oireachtas members and local Council members, on these issues, and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Council to discuss these matters, and our broader plans for the service.”

He explained that the expanded Enterprise service “has been a huge success, with increases of well over 40% in passenger demand since it began in October 2024.”

But, he admitted the popularity of the Dublin- Belfast service has “resulted in challenges for car park capacity in Dundalk, and we are examining opportunities to make some initial changes to yield even a small number of extra spaces.”

"Beyond this, we are reviewing our national car park network at present to identify those stations most in need of additional capacity, and will liaise with the NTA on priority locations. Timing of any expansion works will be subject to land availability and funding approval.”

He added that increasing the number of train services further is “subject to infrastructure development and additional trains being available.”

"Drogheda to Dublin will be the first route to benefit from the new battery-electric DARTs which will begin entering service from the second quarter of 2027. These have greater capacity than a number of the trains currently operating on the route, and will also free up other trains for other services – the allocation of the fleet to other services on other routes will be subject to the approval of the NTA.”

Mr. Kenny added: “We are also pleased to see that the NDP Transport Sectoral Plan will see initial works on the DART+ Coastal North infrastructure start from 2028, and the early interventions under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review support works at Mosney and Skerries to improve capacity also.”

Responding to Louth councillor’s calls for the former Dunleer train station to be reopened, he said: “In terms of new stations, we receive many requests for both new greenfield stations and disused stations to be re-opened throughout the network.”

But, before Iarnród Éireann can receive public funding to proceed with any rail infrastructure scheme, a range of conditions must be met, said Mr. Kenny.

"The proposal must be fully supported by relevant transport strategy and planning policy (National Transport Authority /Department of Transport/An Bord Pleanála approval as required).”

“It must have a robust Business Case in line with current Government Public Spending Code and sector specific ‘Common Appraisal Guidance’ for transport related projects.”

In addition a full ‘demand assessment’ of each scheme using the National Transport Authority’s Regional Modelling System is required as an input to the Business Case.

The project must also be "fully funded by third party finance.”

He added: “While station projects are not currently funded for Drogheda North or Dunleer, we will engage with any parties proposing such projects. Iarnród Éireann will ensure that no action is undertaken which would preclude any future reopening of the stations, if funded by third parties and which meets the conditions set out above.”