Minister calls for Kildare's DART+ Southwest to progress in parallel with DART+ West

Local Minister James Lawless TD has confirmed his ongoing engagement with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD, to continue making the case for the advancement of Kildare's DART+ Southwest project to Sallins and Newbridge train stations.

“I am actively engaging with Minister O’Brien to ensure that the DART+ Southwest project remains a priority and moves forward without delay. With the DART+ West project now progressing, it is essential that DART+ Southwest advances in parallel rather than sequentially. Delivering both projects together will maximise efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and ensure real transport improvements for communities right across the region.”

“I have also highlighted the importance of expanding the project beyond its current scope. There is a strong business case to extend DART+ Southwest beyond Hazelhatch to Sallins and Newbridge, and to examine the delivery of a new station at Naas as a regional park-and-ride hub. This would support population growth, strengthen sustainable mobility options, and boost economic development across the wider region.”

Minister Lawless concluded: “People living along the Southwest corridor deserve the same certainty, investment and strategic focus now being applied to DART+ West. Advancing both projects together is the most sensible and cost-effective approach, and I will continue to press this point.”

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