Train commuters travelling into Dublin will soon be able to get to the heart of Dublin City centre without transferring at Heuston station.

Plans are in place to open the Phoenix Park tunnel to commuters from next year which will see them bypass Heuston Station.

Four trains an hour would travel through the tunnel during peak times, stopping at Connolly Station and Grand Canal Dock. Passengers from Portlaoise, Portarlington, Monastarevin, Kildare and Newbridge would all benefit from the new service.

At the moment, passengers have to get the Luas or a bus if they want to get to those areas. The new system would also see commuters able to link directly with the DART line.

The decision to reopen the tunnel was first announced last year as part of a proposed €900m development plan for transport in Dublin.

Barry Kenny from Irish Rail says it won’t affect existing services, their intention is to add more