Introduction

Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), in exercise of its powers conferred upon it by Section 37 of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, as amended by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, is applying to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order pursuant to the provisions of the said Act. The DART Underground will expand and connect both intercity and commuter rail services. The Railway Order Application will be available for public inspection from 7th July 2010.

The order, if granted, will authorise CIÉ to construct, maintain, improve and operate an underground electrified heavy railway, and the railway works specified in the Railway Order or any part thereof. The DART Underground will involve construction and operation of approximately 8.6km of new rail from the CIÉ Inchicore Works to tie into the Northern Mainline south of East Wall Road, north of the Docklands area. The DART Underground consists of approximately 7.6km of twin tunnel between the portals at East Wall and Inchicore.

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DART Underground Railway Order Application Newspaper Notice

Draft DART Underground Railway Order

Draft DART Underground Railway Order Book of Reference (Schedules)

At the request of An Bord Pleanála downloadable PDF copies of the DART Underground Book of Reference Schedule 2-8 inclusive, relating to names and addresses of land owners/occupiers, are not available for download from this webpage. A copy of these documents may be inspected during normal office or opening hours at public inspection locations detailed below.

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Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

Volume 3 – EIS Figures

Book 1 of 4 (Figures for Chapter 1-4 inclusive)

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4

Book 2 of 4 (Figures for Chapter 5-10 inclusive)

Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Book 3 of 4 (Figures for Chapters 11-19 inclusive)

Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19

Book 4 of 4 (Figures for Chapters 20-25 inclusive)

Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25

Volume 4 – EIS Appendices

Covers and Volume 4 Table of Contents

Appendices to Chapter 1 Introduction

Appendices to Chapter 2 Background to the Project

Appendices to Chapter 3 Scheme Description

Appendices to Chapter 4 Planning and Policy

Appendices to Chapter 5 Construction Strategy

Appendices to Chapter 6 Traffic and Transportation

Appendices to Chapter 7 Landscape and Visual Impact

Appendices to Chapter 8 Above Ground Noise and Vibration

Appendices to Chapter 9 Below Ground Noise and Vibration

Appendices to Chapter 10 Air Quality

Appendices to Chapter 11 Climate

Appendices to Chapter 12 Flora and Fauna

Appendices to Chapter 13 Soils and Geology

Appendices to Chapter 14 Hydrogeology

Appendices to Chapter 15 Hydrology

Appendices to Chapter 16 Settlement of Permanent Structures and Utilities

Appendices to Chapter 17 Material Assets

Appendices to Chapter 18 Electromagnetic Compatibility

Appendices to Chapter 19 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Appendices to Chapter 20 Architectural Heritage

Appendices to Chapter 21 Resource and Waste Management

Appendices to Chapter 22 Socio-Economics

Appendices to Chapter 23 Human Health

Appendices to Chapter 24 Cumulative Impacts and Interaction of Effects

Appendices to Chapter 25 Summary of Mitigation Measures and Residual Effects

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Railway Works Drawings

Area 101 (Inchicore to Memorial Park)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

Area 102 (Memorial Park to Heuston)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

Area 103 (Heuston to Christchurch)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

Area 104 (Christchurch to Merrion Square)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

Area 105 (Merrion Square to River Liffey)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

Area 106 (River Liffey to East Wall)

RO Property Details

RO Alignment Details

RO Structure Details

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Public Information Regarding Input to the Railway Order Process

Inspection of the Railway Order and Accompanying Documents

A copy of the Draft Railway Order and each document accompanying the application may be inspected during normal office or opening hours from Wednesday 7th of July 2010 for the duration of 6 weeks until the Wednesday 18th August 2010, as set out by the Newspaper Notice, at:

  • An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1;
  • Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 2;
  • Heuston Station, Dublin 8;
  • Pearse Station, Dublin 2;  and
  • CIE Inchicore Works (Inchicore Parade entrance, Dublin 8).

A copy of the Draft Railway Order and each document accompanying the application can also be downloaded from this webpage. Simply click on any of the links and follow the instructions.

Purchase of Documents

A copy of the Draft Railway Order and each document accompanying the application can be downloaded free of charge from this webpage. Simply click on any of the links above and follow the instructions.

Copies or extracts from the documents, including the Environmental Impact Statement and the Non-Technical Summary of the same, may be purchased on payment of a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making such copy or extract from DART Underground Office, Heuston Station, Dublin 8; An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1; and Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

The cost of DART Underground documentation from Corás Iompair Éireann is as follows:

i. Environmental Impact Statement (All Volumes)
Paper Copy - €170; Electronic Copy (DVD) - €5

ii. Environmental Impact Statement Non-Technical Summary (Volume 1)
Paper Copy - €5; Electronic Copy (DVD) – See (i) above

iii. Environmental Impact Statement Main EIS Report (Volume 2)
Paper Copy - €30; Electronic Copy (DVD) – See (i) above

iv. Environmental Impact Statement EIS Figures (Volume 3)
Paper Copy - €70; Electronic Copy (DVD) – See (i) above

v. Environmental Impact Statement EIS Appendices (Volume 4)
Paper Copy - €65; Electronic Copy (DVD – See (i) above

vi. Plan of Proposed Railway Works (Single Drawing A0 size)
Paper Copy - €10, Electronic Copy (DVD) - €5 (Full RO Drawing Set)

Costs for other copies or extracts from the documents will be provided upon request.

Written Submissions

Submissions or observations may be made only to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, relating to:

i. the proposed railway order, and

ii. the likely effects on the environment of the proposed railway works.

Any submissions/observations must be accompanied by the appropriate fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies). Such submissions/observations must also include the following information:

i. the name of the person making the submission or observation, the name of the person acting on his or her behalf, if any, and the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent;

ii. the subject matter of the submission or observation; and

ii. the reasons, considerations and arguments on which the submission or observation is based, in full.

Any submissions or observations which do not comply with the above requirements cannot be considered by the Board.

Oral Hearing

An Bord Pleanála may, at its absolute discretion, hold an Oral Hearing in relation to the likely effects on the environment of the proposal.

Summary of An Bord Pleanála Adjudication Procedure

The Railway Order Application is made directly to An Bord Pleanála in accordance with the provision of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act, 2001, as amended by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act, 2006. The applicant has forwarded copies of the Railway Order application and the EIS to the Board and to the prescribed bodies specified in the relevant legislation.

Any person may make submissions to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the application, within a specified 6 week period. Dublin City Council officials are required to issuea report to An Bord Pleanála.

Before making its decision on the application for approval of DART Underground, An Bord Pleanála must consider the Railway Order Documentation (including this EIS) and any submission, observation  or further information made to An Bord Pleanála. If, after consideration of all information, An Bord Pleanála is of the opinion that the Railway Order should be granted, it shall make an order authorising the applicant to construct, maintain, improve and operate the railway or the railway works specified in the order or any part thereof, in such manner and subject to such conditions, modifications, restrictions and requirements (and on such other terms) as An Bord Pleanála thinks proper and specifies in the order. An Bord Pleanála shall furnish the applicant with a copy of the order.

The Railway Order will come into operation upon the expiration of a further 8 week period.

Further Project Information

Further project information is available from DART Underground is available from

  • Post: DART Underground Office, Heuston Station, Dublin 8;  
  • Telephone: 1890 200 500 (Locall number);
  • Email: dartunderground@irishrail.ie.

The website www.irishrail.ie/dartunderground will continue to be updated during the Railway Order Application process.

It should be noted that submissions or objection on the DART Underground application should not be directed to Corás Iompair Éireann or Iarnród Éireann. All submissions or objections should be directed to An Bord Pleanála.

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