01/04/2026
Response from NTA regarding Park and Ride near Ashbourne.
Dear Deputy,
The National Transport Authority (NTA) Park and Ride Development Office (PRDO) was established, arising from a recommendation in the Climate Action Plan, with a view to advancing and delivering strategic Park and Ride (P&R) facilities across Ireland. Given the lead time associated with strategic capital infrastructure projects, particular rail projects, the primary objective of the PRDO is to explore and advance bus-based strategic P&R solutions close to the national road network that may be delivered more swiftly.
Strategic Park & Ride is typically located where national roads or major transport corridors intersect with high-quality public transport services, enabling people to change from private car journeys to alternative public transport options. This approach is designed to attract commuters through journey time savings, thus encouraging modal shift with corresponding reductions in congestion and carbon emissions.
A P&R strategy was developed for the Greater Dublin Area as part of the NTA’s “Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022 – 2042”. This document sets out the vision and objectives for P&R and identifies zones of intervention where strategic P&R is considered feasible. The NTA is currently advancing proposals for numerous strategic P&R proposals across the Greater Dublin Area and in the regional cities of Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
In relation to the M2 corridors, analysis undertaken to inform the GDA Transport Strategy identifying Junction 3 – Ashbourne, as optimal location for a strategic bus-based Park and Ride. This analysis is informed by factors such as the availability of sufficient land near the motorway (within 500m of an interchange is considered optimal), the existing bus services which currently serve the area, the extent of the M2 Motorway Order given it stretches to the Nile Milestone Roundabout and, finally, wider environmental factors such as the Broadmeadow watercourse. This resulted in the southern side of Ashbourne emerging given its proximity to the M2 corridor coupled with the ability to capture trips from the growing settlements of Rathoath and Ashbourne.
Considering the above, the PRDO set about identifying various potential land banks with a view to refining these locations into a single emerging preferred option cognisant the land is predominately in private ownership and subject to exploratory discussions interested landowners. This work is currently ongoing whereby a preferred site has been identified and negotiations to purchase landowner by agreement appears feasible.
The emerging preferred site is located along the R125 just east of the Nine Milestone roundabout. Work continues to develop design proposals with a view to preparing statutory consent documentation and securing planning consent at some stage towards the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Consideration was given to locating Park and Ride north of Ashbourne but given the above, the southern side emerged preferrable. That said, nothing above prevents a local park and share facility being advanced on the north side of Ashbourne or in Slane where demand is evident. Park and Share is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland or Meath County Council.
I trust that the above is of assistance.
Yours Sincerely,
NTA
