MetroLink could be a ‘transformative solution’ for Dublin’s chronic congestion

During closing statements at an oral hearing into the €9.5bn project, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said the “ever-increasing need” for the high frequency railway line is evident as Dublin grapples with congestion.

Trains along the MetroLink line are proposed to run every three minutes during peak periods, with the capacity to carry up to 20,000 people per hour in each direction.

The 18.8km line plans to include 16 new stations and is intended to operate from Swords in north county Dublin, to Charlemont in Ranelagh, via Dublin Airport and the city centre.

Peter Walsh, Director at TII, delivered a closing statement on behalf of TII today, saying they have “striven to engage with stakeholders” throughout the oral hearing.

“MetroLink is a high-capacity, high-frequency metro railway connecting major transport hubs and key destinations across the Greater Dublin Area,” he said.

“It will provide the spine of the public transport network in Dublin. Indeed, given the connectivity with heavy rail, the Dart and the Luas that Metrolink will achieve, it will transform public transportation in Ireland.

“TII has demonstrated how MetroLink will addresses critical issues such as congestion, accessibility and sustainable growth.

“The ever-increasing need for MetroLink is evident as Dublin grapples with congestion and inefficient transport systems.

“With Dublin ranked as the 35th most congested city globally, the economic and societal costs of traffic delays are staggering.

“MetroLink’s intervention along the Swords, Dublin Airport, Dublin City Centre corridor is essential to alleviate congestion, reduce reliance on private cars, and enhance public transport connectivity.”

Mr Walsh concluded by saying the MetroLink project will approve accessibility to “jobs, education and other social and economic opportunities”.

He also highlighted that in submissions of criticism from third parties impacted by the construction of MetroLink, most were prefaced by their “support” for the overall project.

An Bord Pleanála has confirmed that the oral hearing into the estimated €9.5bn project has concluded for now and a decision on the railway order will be issued “in due course”.

Niall Haverty, Senior Planning Inspector, also said that any subsequent decision to re-open the oral hearing would be at the “board’s discretion”.

Several documents were submitted throughout the oral hearing, including an additional 200 documents from TII, with 39 documents submitted on the first day of the oral hearing which began six weeks ago.

The parties who made submissions throughout the hearing’s modules were invited to give closing statements.

Hampstead Residents and Griffith Avenue & District Residents Association, who were represented by Declan Campbell, said they have been participating in the planning process since 2018.

One particular note from Mr Campbell was that TII has “not engaged” in an in-person meeting with the residents who will be impacted by a large above ground structure in Albert College Park.

“It is a sad reflection on the current application that so many private deals, subject to non-disclosure agreements, appear to have been entered into since the start of these oral hearings,” he added.

He said that due to this being a publicly funded transport infrastructure project, the presence of NDAs is “worrying”.

Anne Meehan, who also lives in Glasnevin and will be impacted by the construction of the railway line, reiterated her previous statements of disapproval, saying TII’s handling of the project so far has been “shambolic and chaotic”.

She added that TII has been “drip-feeding information to the public”, which she attributes to being likely due to the information being unavailable to begin with.

Ms Meehan concluded by urging the board to listen to her concerns and said that the only light she sees at the end of this project is “the oncoming train”.

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan encouraged An Bord Pleanála to approve the railway application, saying there was a need for a railway link to the airport.

He said that while he encourages the board to approve the Dublin MetroLink, he suggests the approval should be “subject to conditions”.

These conditions include the possibility of exploring ending the railway line in the city centre instead of Charlemont, south of the city centre.

The Green Line Luas serves a similar area where the Metrolink plans to run, and Deputy O’Callaghan says Dublin needs a railway link that will link up “the whole city”.

He said if the current plan for the MetroLink is approved, which ends in Charlemont, he doesn’t see it proceeding toward the southwest of the city.