Local stations to be closed over more weekends
IRISH Rail has announced further disruptions to DART services for Greystones and Bray over weekends in May and June due to engineering works between Grand Canal Dock and Greystones.
Adding to previously announced works across the Easter bank holiday weekend, stations will also be closed on the May bank holiday weekend, and on further weekends in May and June.
The works will be carried out over the following dates: Saturday, March 30 to Monday, April 1; Saturday, May 4 to Monday, May 6; Saturday, May 18; Saturday, June 8 to Sunday, June 9.
DART services will operate between Howth/ Malahide to Grand Canal Dock and between Grand Canal Dock to Howth/Malahide only on those dates.
The news comes as Bray Chamber of Commerce has written to Irish Rail to express concerns over the cancellation of weekend Dart services in the area due to the ongoing engineering works.
Last year, several bank holiday weekends offered no Dart service to Bray or Greystones and already this year no service was provided for the three days of the February bank holiday.
The Bray Chamber of Commerce said it recognises the efforts made by Irish Rail to minimise disruptions, such as scheduling works during off-peak hours and avoiding major events like St Patrick’s Day.
However, it stressed the need for continuous collaboration and communication to ensure that the interests of local businesses, during busy bank holidays and key tourist seasons, are duly considered.
Chamber President Kieran Ward said: “Tourism is a vital contributor to Bray’s economy, and any hindrance to transportation services can have a direct impact on footfall.
“The Chamber calls for open dialogue between Irish Rail and the local business community to discuss potential solutions and ensure that the town’s economic interests are safeguarded during this period of infrastructural development.
“We understand the challenges faced by Irish Rail in balancing necessary works with minimal disruption, and we believe that by working together, we can find collaborative solutions that benefit both the rail network and the local economy.
“The Chamber looks forward to receiving more detailed information about the major works scheduled for 2024 and anticipates further updates on how the potential impacts on local businesses and tourism will be mitigated.”
In 2023, engineering works meant there was no Dart service beyond Dun Laoghaire across the Easter and May bank holiday weekends, with the May weekend hosting the international Bray Jazz Festival then, and again this year.
Reacting to the latest news, Social Democrats Local Election candidate in Bray, Aaron McAllorum said: “I appreciate vital infrastructural works need to be undertaken to maintain the integrity of the line however, throughout 2023 and again this year, Bray is being denied an essential public transport mode.
“Bray businesses will again suffer with the drop in footfall as well as people living in the town in the context of getting to and from Bray by rail and connecting to other public transport modes in Dublin.
“The Bray Jazz festival takes place over the May weekend, and it is really disappointing there will be no train service to cover that. Bray was left behind by Irish Rail for much of last year and it’s the same again this year.”