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NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2000 - 2006

I'm currently researching material for a book and came across information in the IRRS Journal of October 1999 on the National Development Plan 2000 - 2006. As it is now 2007, after years of unprecedented economic growth, it is worth looking at what was proposed and what didn't happen.

  • Completion of the first phase of the LUAS light rail system including the underground section from St Stephens Green West to Broadstone and the north side extension to Ballymun and Dublin Airport. So much for the underground section and the airport link.


  • New heavy rail lines linking the Northern main line with Dublin Airport and the Midland Line near Liffey Junction to a new station ini Dublin Docklands. The development also includes the reinstatement of the Clonsilla - Navan Line. No sign of the airport links or the line to Navan. I'm reluctant to describe Docklands Station, built as it is, as a success.


  • A new rail and road crossing linking the dock-land (sic) area at Spencer Dock to Barrow Street station which would provide much needed relief for the present congested route through Connolly Station and would also provide an additional North/South link. They don't have their dick extension interconnector tunnel either.


  • There are plans to develop suburban rail traffic in Cork, Limerick and Galway. The Cork development is likely to include new stations on the Mallow - Cork - Cobh corridor and a possible reopening of the Glounthaune to Midleton section of the Youghal Branch.The Midleton branch is proceeding (slowly), no sign of Limerick or Galway services.


  • Western Dublin subruban services, particularly on the Southern mainline will also be improved with the possibility of additional track capacity, new stations and re signalling. On the former MGWR main line, the reinstatement of the double line between Clonsilla and Maynooth together with new stations at Ashington and the Intel facility at Leixlip has already been included in the present phase of development. No sign of the last two stations, but otherwise OK.


  • The present Islandbridge Junction to Glasnevin Junction line will be upgraded to allow direct access from Kildare and other suburban stations to Connolly, Pearse and Barrow St. stations. Which line is that now, the one that doesn't exist or the one that has a tunnel that is too narrow to accomodate modern day rolling stock?


  • New rolling stock including additional EMU and DMU units will be provided allowing for longer trains to call at existing stations where platforms will be lengthened. I suppose that they have delivered, but not enough.

    • With no more than about two out of seven delivered, that hardly counts as a success. But then, the Irish people saw fit to re-elect this incompetent Government, so who am I to complain.

    Last modified 28th May 2007.