Cullen announces Metro West consultation process and route options

Date: 22 November 2006

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen TD today (Wednesday 22 November 2006) announced the second phase in the development of a Metro system for Dublin - the route options and consultation process for Metro West.

The project, which is part of the Government’s investment programme for transport - Transport 21 - has two broad route options. These options have been identified by the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA). Metro West will start in Tallaght, moving through Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown linking with Metro North south of Dublin Airport.

While both Metro West options cover the areas mentioned above, they are both distinct routes. Route Option 1 starts in Tallaght on the Belgard Road serving Tallaght Institute of Technology, The Square and Tallaght Village. It also serves Clondalkin Town Centre, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown Town Centre. Route Option 2 starts at the Tallaght stop of the existing Luas Red Line. It runs along the Luas Line as far as Cookstown Road. It then follows the outer ring road north to Kingswood where it crosses the Naas Road. It travels through Grange Castle and Clondalkin, serving the Blanchardstown Town Centre and the Blanchardstown Institute of Technology.

Two options are also being considered to allow Metro West passengers access to the airport and Swords. The first is that the Metro West service would run directly on to Metro North, i.e. sharing the track, and on to the airport. The second option would be for passengers to transfer from Metro West on to Metro North at the Metro Park stop.

It is anticipated the final route track may run up to 28 kilometres. Preliminary forecasts suggest that Metro West when complete, will carry up to 20 million passengers a year.

The RPA will consult with people living and working along the proposed routes - members of the public, public representatives, agencies and local authorities. A published newsletter is available from the RPA with the route options outlined and public meetings will be organised in January. The route finally selected may be a variation or a combination of the route options, or other options identified during the consultation. A number of sub-options are also offered.

Minister Martin Cullen said today: “I encourage the people of Dublin to express their views during the consultation phase so as to ensure that they can be taken into account in the future development of the project. The consultation process should identify any significant issues of concern to local people along the route and other stakeholders. The intention is that these can be dealt with at an early stage rather than emerging for the first time at a public inquiry stage and delaying progress on the project. I understand that a preferred alignment will be identified in 2007, taking into account the outcome of the RPA’s public consultation”.

The Minister added: “Today is another important step in the progress of Transport 21. Last month I announced the preferred route for the first phase of the Metro network - Metro North from Dublin city centre to north of Swords in County Dublin. I am pleased to be here today to launch this further step in the development of the Metro system - the suggested routes and the public consultation process for Metro West”.

Minister Cullen continued: “West Dublin has seen some of the most intense growth in housing and other development in the last decades. This has resulted in large demand for travel to and from and within the area. Metro West will aim to connect key towns in the West of Dublin serving existing and new communities. There will be interconnectivity on the route, with Metro West linking with the Tallaght Luas line, the Kildare and Maynooth rail lines, the proposed Lucan Luas, Metro North and many bus routes”.

Metro West will run on the surface and the tracks will be separate from road traffic. It will cross road junctions in a similar manner to Luas, although bridges will be required at major roads, railways and other crossings.

Construction of Metro West is due to be complete in 2014, subject to the successful obtaining of a Railway Order from An Bord Pleanála. It is estimated that construction of Metro West will take up to five years.