More train services to Drogheda are a “no brainer” amid a surge in the town’s population, one local has claimed. 

In its Climate Action Plan 2021, the Government set out ambitious targets to boost the use of public transport in order to slash carbon emissions. 

In County Louth, the population has surged in recent years with many of the new residents commuting into Dublin on a daily basis. 

Speaking to locals for The Pat Kenny Show, reporter Josh Crosbie found widespread enthusiasm in the town for more rail services. 

“It’s crazy, the train line is a few fields across from here,” Ciara told him. 

“It’s absolute madness that there’s no station there, having to go all the way into Drogheda and all the way to the other side to get to the train station.

“There’s 20,000 people living on this side.” 

A commuter train to Drogheda.

Another local said he felt the current levels of service are “unbelievable”. 

“Traffic in this town come Friday and Saturday is mental, you can’t get around Drogheda,” he said.

“Since the new road opened, there’s a lot less going up the north road - that’s been a lot of help."

One woman said she currently rarely uses public transport but would do so if there was a station built close to her home. 

“I think it’d be great if we had one in Yellowbatter, I think it would be great if we had one outside that side of the town,” she said. 

“At the moment, it’s a 15 minute walk up to the train station. 

“So, I think that is a huge disincentive for people to use the train.” 

Drogheda In Co Louth, Ireland (Credit Image: © The Irish Image Collection/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire)

While one driver said he would use the train “immediately” if there was another station. 

“I’m trying to give up the car,” he said. 

“It’s a no brainer - let the train take the strain.” 

'It’s not going to cost an arm and a leg'

Speaking to Josh, Drogheda City Status Group PRO Anthony Murphy said the town gets “clogged up” every morning because of the sheer number of commuters. 

The solution, he feels, is a new train station to cater for the town’s expanding population. 

“The Dublin-Belfast railway line which is double tracked all the way from Dublin to Belfast passes through Drogheda, over the Boyne River and across the Boyne Viaduct,” he said. 

“There used to be a train station decades and decades ago, New Town Halt. 

“Our argument is it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to build a small train station there, the track infrastructure is there. 

“We’re not asking for a branch line to be built or anything; what that’s going to do is help clear out the congestion that’s clogged up the centre of our city for far too long.” 

The Hugh De Lacy Bridge over the River Boyne in Drogheda, Co Louth in September 2014. Picture by: Ian Dagnall / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Murphy said the town desperately needs more infrastructure to reflect its growth in recent years. 

“At the moment, we’re getting all the houses, we’re not getting anything else,” he said. 

“We feel that there’s a perfect opportunity here for a train station on the northside of town in order to address this serious problem of congestion. 

“That is just one step and one step of many that needs to be taken.” 

During Census 2022, 44,000 people recorded that they lived in Drogheda - up from 41,000 in 2016.

In a statement to Newstalk, Irish Rail said there are "no plans at present to open a station at Dunleer, or to progress developments which could potentially strengthen such a business case."

However, they also said they would "engage with any parties proposing such projects".

Main image: A train pictured leaving MacBride station in Drogheda. Image: Anze Furlan / Alamy Stock Photo