Cullen launches Metro North public consultation

[Navan Junction]

Cullen launches Metro North public consultation

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen TD today (28th February, 2006) launched the public consultation phase for the Dublin's City Centre phase of the Metro Link to the Airport and Swords.
14:45 28/02/2006, www.fiannafail.ie


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Metro North, which is estimated to carry at least 80,000 passengers a day,will also integrate with Luas, Bus, Park & Ride at Swords and Ballymun,cycling, taxi and rail services. Metro North will integrate with otherservices in the city - connecting with Metro West, the Maynooth rail line,the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines and DART via the Interconnector at St. Stephens Green.

Minister Cullen also announced that the Dublin Bus network review allows forbus services to be re-organised so that the bus complements and feeds intoMetro, thus extending the advantages to other communities.

Ground investigation work is to commence on Metro North within weeks.

The Metro North line, which will total 18km, is expected to be operational in2012.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Cullen said: "We need and deserve a firstclass transport system. We have the resources because of the hard work and enterprise of the Irish people and a Government that works with them. Our goal with Transport 21 is to make sure that Ireland is successful not justtoday but also in the years ahead.

"Metro North offers an integrated, high capacity public transport option.It will be modern, attractive, accessible and make an immeasurabledifference to 80,000 lives everyday. Crucially, just like Luas before it,Metro will get people out of cars and onto public transport."

Minister Cullen said he was keen to correct the fact that Dublin was one ofthe few European Capital Cities without a direct rail link to its Airport.He said he was also pleased to secure resources to bring Metro to Swords.

"We are one of the few European Cities without a rail link. Metro Northcorrects this and by going to Swords, achieves more. Swords and the widerFingal area is now home to thousands of people. With Metro in place, thejourney from the City Centre to Dublin Airport or Swords will be less thanhalf of what it is today. This is the type of improvement Transport 21delivers", he concluded.