Navan–Drogheda rail line could reopen, says Meath TD
The reopening of the Navan to Drogheda railway line for commuters is now under consideration, a Meath TD has said.
Following a meeting with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Aontú leader and chair of the Meath on Track campaign, Peadar Tóibín, said the move is a positive step in addressing long-standing transport challenges in the county.
“The building of the Navan to Dublin rail line is a priority of the people of Meath. Building it will be the most important piece of infrastructural development for the county,” he said.
“Despite the start of the planning process for the Navan to Dublin rail line, there is no date for its construction, even though money has been assigned to it. On the current government timeline, it will take 42 years from concept to completion for this line to be built.”
He highlighted that an existing functional rail line from Navan to Drogheda is currently unused.
“There is a functional rail line from Navan to Drogheda. Shockingly, it is not being used at all. Even the rail freight from Tara Mines to Drogheda has ceased in recent years, with no reopening date given,” he said.
“In my meeting with the NTA, I told them that the commute from Navan to Dublin is now an excruciating four hours. This is a massive cost to families in terms of money, family life, and mental health. It is also a significant cost to the environment,” Mr Tóibín added.
He said reopening the line would benefit thousands of people working in Deleek, Drogheda, and north Dublin, providing access to towns such as Balbriggan, Portmarnock, Malahide, Swords, Clontarf, Eastpoint Business Park, and Dublin city centre. He also highlighted potential links to Dundalk, Newry, and Belfast.
Mr Tóibín said the NTA had previously argued the route via Drogheda would be too long for commuters, but the authority has now acknowledged that travel times would be far shorter than the current four-hour journey and at a "significantly” lower cost.
“It is good news that the NTA will now reconsider this opportunity. We welcome this wholeheartedly.”
The Meath on Track campaign plans to step up its efforts in the coming weeks, including placing banners on M3 bridges to raise awareness.
“We are not giving up. This is too important,” Mr Tóibín said.