No plans to build a train station in Naas

Irish Rail has no plans to build a second rail station to serve the Naas area — despite a growing population and daily traffic traffic congestion on road route to Dublin.

Spokesman Barry Kenny told a recent Naas Municipal District meeting that a “business case” would have to be made for a new station.

And he also said any proposal would have to conform with national transport plans.

Mr. Kenny also said that there would be no extra train carriages provided to augment the existing services until 2020 “at the earliest”.

He also said additional trains could be leased but this cannot be done without modification work because the rail line widths in Europe and Ireland differ and he refuted the suggestion that Sallins cannot accommodate longer trains.

Cllr Fintan Brett said the N7 is “choc a bloc” from 6.30am almost daily.

He predicted this would continue even after work to upgrade the route concludes.

He said it is clear that there is a demand for a better train service. He criticised the absence of plans for a better service and said the issue is being left on the long finger.

Cllr. Seamie Moore said it is disappointing that a business case must be made when the N7 is congested.

Referring to exploratory discussions that Kildare County Council has undertaken to develop a park and ride facility in the greater Naas area, Cllr Moore said Irish Rail is in competition with bus service providers and should be looking to expand train services.