[Article] Rail agency applies for order to proceed with Metro West

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...281622547.html

Rail agency applies for order to proceed with Metro West

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

THE RAILWAY Procurement Agency (RPA) has announced its intention to proceed with Metro West by applying to An Bord Pleanála for a railway order for the orbital light rail line, which would connect Tallaght, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown.

The Luas-type project would link up with Metro North at Dardistown, south of Dublin airport.

According to the agency, it would “deliver substantial benefits to communities in west Dublin, providing a quality public transport system [and] employment opportunities”.

As with Metro North, no costings have been given for the project, nor has the agency provided any estimate of likely patronage on the line, which would connect areas not linked even by a bus service. Neither has any cost-benefit analysis been published.

No provision was made for Metro West in the Government’s revised €13 million capital spending plan to 2016, unveiled last July. But Metro North, which would link Swords with St Stephen’s Green, and the Dart underground from Heuston to Docklands are part of it.

The RPA said the Metro West light rail would begin at a new terminus in the median of Belgard Road, adjacent to the Institute of Technology Tallaght, and run on the same track bed as the existing Tallaght Luas line before branching off to Clondalkin.

It would serve Liffey Valley shopping centre and cross the river on a new bridge, continuing onwards to Porterstown and Blanchardstown, past the National Aquatic Centre, and looping around through Cappoge before ending at Dardistown.

The agency described Metro West as a key element of Transport 21, the Government’s investment framework published in November 2005, and said its railway order application “represents a significant milestone in the delivery of the project”.

From October 29th, the environmental impact statement will be on display at the offices of South Dublin and Fingal county councils, the RPA and An Bord Pleanála, and on www.dublinmetrowest.ie

[weehamster]

To me it is important that all of the projects get to this stage and not be scrapped altogether as some people are calling for. So that when it does look like we can afford to go ahead with construction, we don't have to wait several years more just to get to the railway order stage again.

It can only make these projects much more attractive as it would be quicker and easier to proceed than what we've had in the past. So its not a matter of if, but when.

[Jack O'Neill]

Well said Weehamster (and I support your other post on Metro North etc)

These are essential project for an intregrated rapid mass transit system for the future.

[Mark Gleeson]

We have spoken to people at the highest level and the government position is very much to proceed with both projects

[ColmmacO]

Its important to note that these are effectively 15 year planning permissions.
I would love to see metro west go ahead, but I wouldnt be suprised if the plan is to get full planning permission and then shelve it until the money becomes available.

[Mark Gleeson]

Metro North and Interconnector are still very much go

Metro West even when money was cheap was always a tough sell and they are expecting a long wait but at the same time can acquire the land now and rock bottom prices