Development plan discussions over extending DART service to Kilcock

Will the DART train service be extended to Kilcock?

That was one of the questions posed by Meath county councillors when discussing the proposed new Meath county development plan to cover the next six years. Under debate was the area of Kilcock environs which comes under the county council jurisdiction.

The town has been described as having excellent multi-modal transport, including the M4 motorway and the Sligo-Dublin rail line, putting it in a prime position as a commuter settlement for key employers in the vicinity and the Dublin metropolitan area.

The draft development plan says the convenience of its linkages and infrastructure make the town environs an attractive location for investment and development.

Its population is 6,093, an increase of 10 per cent in the 2016 census. The number of accommodation units built during the lifetime of the 2016-19 period was 100 and although a further 180 units were committed, they have not yet been built.

The council vision for the town is to build on its advantage of having good transport links which supports the development of a sustainable neighbourhood that integrates with and complements the existing Kilcock town centre opening up opportunities for amenity walkways and public open spaces in an attractive environment.

Officials told councillors that planning permission had been granted for 339 units, some of which were under construction.

Fine Gael Cllr Joe Fox, supported by Fianna Fail Cllr Damien O’Reilly made the case for the drafting of a local area plan for the Kilcock environs.

Director of Services Des Foley said that while Irish Rail intended to extend the DART, it might come to Maynooth with a spur off to Parkway, he did not know whether it would come to Kilcock.