Public Consultation 2

Public Consultation 2 Leaflet  

Public Consultation 2 Brochure  

Public Consultation 2 Brochure - As Gaeilge 

Click here to complete the consultation response form online 

Download the consultation response form 

Preferred Route Consultation Drawings  

Interactive map of the Preferred Route corridor 

Non-Statutory Public Consultation No. 1 – Consultation Findings Report  

Technical Review of Feedback on the Emerging Preferred Route 

Navan Railway is a proposed extension of the Iarnród Éireann rail network between Navan and Dublin City Centre via M3 Parkway.  

The project is being developed to improve public transport connectivity, support future population and economic growth, and reduce dependency on private cars. It also supports wider national, regional and local policy goals including decarbonisation, regional connectivity and compact growth.

The overarching objective of the Navan Railway project is to provide a public transport option that is frequent, reliable, integrated, sustainable and attractive. The project also aims to deliver a public transport option that offers safe, high-capacity connectivity between Navan, the Greater Dublin Metropolitan Area and intermediate urban areas.  

The project’s sub-objectives include: 

• Supporting compact growth 
• Reducing car dependency and congestion 
• Improving access to employment, education and services 
• Contributing to decarbonisation targets 
• Minimising environmental impacts
• Improving overall transport safety

The project is being developed and delivered by Iarnród Éireann with the National Transport Authority as the approving authority for the project.  

The Preferred Route is the corridor within which the railway, stations, parking and associated infrastructure are proposed to be located.  

The Preferred Route was identified following a robust, step-by-step option selection process. Feedback received as part of the first consultation helped inform a programme of further studies and assessments which resulted in targeted adjustments to the corridor that was presented at the Emerging Preferred Route stage.  

The Preferred Route corridor extends from Navan to M3 Parkway, where it will connect with the existing rail network towards Dublin City Centre.  

the Preferred route will be refined further during the next stage of the project, considering feedback received as part of this second consultation, as well as through the preliminary design and environmental assessment processes. 

The Navan Railway project will bring many benefits, including:  

• Extension of DART+ to Navan, with frequent and high-capacity train services 
• Connecting communities along the route to Ireland’s expanding and integrated public transport network. Navan is the largest town in Ireland not currently on the rail network 
• Facilitating future social and economic growth in the project area  
• Encouraging sustainable transport choices and reduced dependency on private cars  
• Enhancing access to services for communities along the route and encouraging travel to County Meath by train  

The original Navan to Clonsilla railway closed in the 1960s. The section of the original railway from Clonsilla to M3 Parkway was reopened in 2010. Works began to reopen the Navan to M3 Parkway section, but they were put on hold in 2011.

The current Navan Railway project has started from the beginning to comply with current Irish and EU legislation, policy requirements and updated planning assumptions. 

Navan Railway is at an early stage of development. Further design work and environmental assessments are required before a Railway Order application is prepared and lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála. Before construction can commence, planning approval and funding must be secured as the project undergo necessary design, environmental and procurement processes. 

All submissions received during the Emerging Preferred Route consultation were carefully reviewed. Key concerns raised in the submissions were identified and addressed by the project team.  

The consultation feedback informed a programme of further engineering, transport, environmental and technical assessments. This work helped identify opportunities to refine the proposed route, respond to feedback raised during consultation and support the selection of a Preferred Route for Navan Railway.

The consultation findings will continue to inform the project’s development during the preliminary design and the environmental assessments phase, along with feedback received as part of this second consultation.

Feedback provided by communities, landowners, stakeholders and members of the public informed a programme of further analysis and technical studies. This work sought to better understand the opportunities, constraints and local issues identified during consultation and support the selection of a Preferred Route for Navan Railway.  

Further details on the assessments carried out, their outcomes and the proposed changes are included in the Technical Review of Feedback on the Emerging Preferred Route report. 

Four new stations are proposed as part of the Preferred Route: Navan North, Navan Central, Kilmessan and Dunshaughlin.

The current proposals identify the following locations: 

• Navan North: Off Ratholdren Road, along the disused Kingscourt railway line 
• Navan Central: Between Carriage Road and Trim Road (R161) 
• Kilmessan: On a greenfield site west of the village, accessed from the L2205 
• Dunshaughlin: On a greenfield site to the west of the town, accessed from Main Street and the M3 Junction 6 Service Station roundabout. 

Yes. Navan Railway will be an extension of the planned DART+ West line from M3 Parkway. 

An electrified railway means that the trains on that line are powered by electricity rather than diesel or other fossil fuels. Electrified railways typically require Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE) and electrical substations to be installed (similar to the current DART network in Dublin). 

The design of the four new stations will continue throughout the next stage of the project’s development. The stations will be designed to meet modern standards and to be integrated with other modes of travel including buses, walking and cycling. 

Accessibility has been a key consideration. The stations will be designed to meet modern accessibility standards and relevant best practice. 

Yes. Large Park & Ride facilities are proposed at Navan North, Kilmessan and Dunshaughlin. Parking at Navan Central is expected to be more limited because of its urban location. 

Yes. When the Navan Railway was closed in the 1960s, the infrastructure was dismantled and the lands were sold.  

Should the project receive planning approval through the Railway Order process, the project will also be granted Compulsory Purchase powers to begin acquiring the land and property needed to complete the project. At this stage IÉ have identified a corridor within which the proposed railway, stations, car parks and other infrastructure may be located. This corridor is wider than what the final railway will be. The exact land take has not yet been confirmed. Every effort will be made to minimise impacts on surrounding lands and consultation with impacted and potentially impacted landowners will continue through the project’s development.  

If you received a letter from the project team stating that your property may be affected by the Preferred Route, this means that your property falls within the corridor where the proposed railway, stations or other infrastructure (temporary or permanent) may be located.  

Every effort will be made to minimise impacts on surrounding lands and consultation with impacted and potentially impacted landowners will continue through the project’s development. 

You can contact project team on (01) 703 4451 or at navan@irishrail.ie to discuss the potential impacts on your property. 

Iarnród Éireann may need access to private land for activities such as surveys or investigations. Where access is required, IÉ will contact the landowner or occupier in advance to seek permission.

Any land that is required to be accessed in the construction or operational phases of Navan Railway will be identified in the Railway Order application for An Coimisiún Pleanála’s approval. 

As with any infrastructure project, there may be some local impacts during construction and operation. The project’s design will make every effort to ensure that impacts are avoided, reduced or mitigated as far as practicable The next stage of the project will include environmental assessments of the entire route which will consider any likely impacts on people living near the route and where required propose design changes or mitigation measures. 

If you received a letter from the project team, your property is within the Preferred Route corridor and may potentially be affected. If you did not receive a letter but think you may be impacted, you can contact project team on (01) 703 4451 or at navan@irishrail.ie to discuss the potential impacts at your property. 

Submissions can be made online through the project response form. You can also contact the project team by email, phone or post. 

The project webpage will be updated as Navan Railway project progresses.   

You can also request to be added to project email list to receive updates by:   

1. Completing the online consultation response form 

This link will take you to a new website (eu.simplystakeholder.com) to complete the response form 

     2. Contacting the project team by phone or email  

Iarnród Éireann will keep all stakeholders updated and informed as the project advances through the phases of development.  

Yes. The project team will be available to discuss the project at the public information events: 

• Navan Solstice Arts Centre (C15 KWP1) 18th November 2026, 16:00hrs – 20:00hrs 

• Dunshaughlin Pastoral Centre (A85 W886) 24th November 2026, 16:00hrs – 20:00hrs 

• Station House Hotel, Kilmessan (C15 N40D) 3rd November 2026, 16:00hrs – 20:00hrs 

• Online Public Webinar - please register here 1st December 2026, 19:00hrs – 20:00hrs 

All submissions received during the consultation period will be reviewed by the project team. The feedback will help refine the route, inform design development and support environmental assessment work as the project progresses to its next stages.

A report will be published summarising the feedback received and detailing how it informed the design development. 

Engagement with communities, stakeholders and property owners will continue as the project progresses through preliminary design and environmental assessment. 

Following consideration of the feedback received during consultation and further development of design proposals, a Railway Order application (similar to a planning application) will be prepared and lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP).  

Following lodgement of the Railway Order application, ACP will run a statutory consultation where additional feedback can be submitted to the Coimisiún. 

Yes, Navan Railway will require planning permission to proceed to construction. A Railway Order application (similar to a planning application) will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála to make a decision on the project.  

A Railway Order is the statutory planning process for railway infrastructure projects of this type and is broadly similar to the planning process for strategic infrastructure. The Railway Order application process is set out in the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001 as amended by the Strategic Infrastructure Act 2006. 

Yes. The project is strongly supported by national, regional and local policy objectives, including public transport decarbonisation, regional connectivity, compact growth and the Greater Dublin Area transport strategy. 

The Railway Order application is expected to include technical documents, drawings and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Together, these documents would describe the project, identify likely impacts and set out proposed mitigation where required. 

As with any major infrastructure project, Navan Railway will bring both temporary and permanent impacts to the environment and local communities. The project’s design will make every effort to ensure that negative impacts are avoided, reduced or mitigated as far as practicable and that positive effects are maximised.   

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) will be submitted as part of the Railway Order application for Navan Railway. The EIAR will consider the likely effects on the local environment and where necessary, identify measures to mitigate any potential adverse effects.  

Navan Railway is subject to funding and will need to secure the necessary approvals and funding as it progresses through the stages of development.