As part of a review of future transport needs in Fingal/North Dublin, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Monday) announced a short-list of six project options to serve one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, encompassing Swords and Dublin Airport.
Speaking on the issue, Glasnevin, Finglas, Drumcondra and Ballymun Councillor Noel Rock said: “The six proposed options include a DART link from the Maynooth Railway Line to the airport and Swords via a tunnel under Glasnevin (Option HR8), a Luas line from Cabra to the airport and Swords via a tunnel under Glasnevin (Option LR3), a metro proposal from St. Stephen’s Green to the Airport and Swords (Option LR7), as well as a combination of a DART link from Clongriffin to the airport and a Luas line from Cabra to Swords (Option C1). These are all viable options and show that this Government is firmly committed to improving transport on Dublin’s Northside”.
Cllr Rock said: “For far far too long the North West of our city has been under served by transport options. Whereas many other areas have rail, DART or Luas to supplement bus public transport, the North West was left behind by Government after Government: this will no longer be the case”.
Cllr Rock continued: “It is evident that population and employment growth in North Dublin will mean increased travel across the region that cannot be catered for by car. Extra public transport capacity will be required, supplemented by cycling and walking for shorter journeys. We need to plan for tomorrow, today, and I commend Minister Donohue for doing just that”.
Cllr Rock concluded: “The Minister will make up his mind in June on this issue. I will be making the case for options which explicitly include the North West area of the city, and this is yet another reason why we need a Fine Gael voice continuing to work for this area. When it comes to public transport for the Northside of this city, we are lucky to have a born and bred northsider as a Cabinet Minister who understands the realities of how this part of the city has been underserved by public transport for generations, and I say fair play to Minister Donohue for his holistic approach and looking at the bigger picture”.
Cllr Rock concluded: “I would call on as many people in our local area as possible to take part in this consultation and have their voices heard”.