On November 4th, 2025, the Irish Independent published an article titled “Dublin to Rosslare rail line could soon end in Wicklow as Irish Rail eyes plans for DART shuttle.”  The article reports that the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Irish Rail, is considering proposals to terminate the Dublin–Rosslare service at either Wicklow or Greystones Station, to facilitate a proposed DART shuttle extension under the DART+ programme.

While the aim of improving DART services for the Wicklow area is commendable, the proposed termination would come at the expense of commuters in Wexford and beyond, who rely heavily on the existing Intercity service to Dublin Connolly.

Currently, the railway line between Greystones and Rosslare Europort operates as a single track, which already limits the number of daily services and contributes to significant delays. For example, only six trains (three in each direction) currently run between Rosslare Europort and Dublin Connolly each day. The journey from Gorey to Dublin Connolly - covering 88 km - takes approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. By contrast, Portlaoise to Dublin, a similar commuter distance, offers 17 trains per day with an average journey time of around one hour.

This imbalance highlights a long-standing neglect of rail infrastructure in the South-East region. Towns such as Gorey, which has 600 new homes planned at the St. Whelan’s site alone, are rapidly expanding as satellite commuter towns for Dublin. Terminating Intercity services at Wicklow would make rail travel for these communities even more impractical, pushing more people onto already congested roads.

The only sustainable and equitable solution is to deliver what has been long advocated:

The development of a dual-track rail line between Greystones and Rosslare Europort.

A double-track system is essential to:

• Improve reliability, frequency, and efficiency of train services.
• Support population growth and economic development in Wexford and Wicklow.
• Ensure the line’s resilience against coastal erosion and environmental damage.
• Advance Ireland’s goals for sustainable and low-carbon transport

We also note with concern Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien’s statement (Irish Independent, September 1st, 2025) that no cost-benefit analysis has been performed on the proposed double-tracking, and that such a project has been deemed “unlikely to be justifiable.” This decision ignores the long-term strategic, economic, and environmental value of a fully functional East Coast rail corridor.

 We, the undersigned, call on: Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail, The National Transport Authority (NTA), Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD
to:

• Commit funding towards safeguarding and upgrading the existing rail line between Greystones and Rosslare.
• Conduct a full cost-benefit analysis on dual-tracking the route.
• Ensure that any DART+ expansion complements rather than replaces Intercity services to Wexford.

This petition is not intended to oppose the DART+ expansion for the Wicklow area. Rather, it calls for balanced transport planning that protects existing commuters and recognises the growing economic and residential significance of South-East Ireland.

A dual-track railway will reduce journey times, enhance safety, and make rail travel a viable alternative to car commuting - contributing to Ireland’s national sustainability and regional development goals.

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Help protect the future of rail travel in the South-East.
Sign this petition to ensure Irish Rail and the Department of Transport invest in a fair, efficient, and sustainable rail network for everyone — from Dublin to Rosslare!