Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
615. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the future plans for metro north to provide rail transport for Swords and north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42128/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Metro North, comes under the remit of the NTA. Following the comprehensive review of capital expenditure carried out in 2011 and against the background of difficult funding realities a decision was taken to defer the Metro North project together with a number of other proposed new projects. Given the limited funds available, the decision was taken that the main priority to 2016 is to protect investment made to date, to maintain safety standards and to progress affordable projects such as Luas Cross City which add value to the existing network.
In early 2011 arising from its statutory remit, the NTA published a “Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2011 – 2030” . That Draft Transport Strategy identified that Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) schemes could play a significant role in the provision of public transport in the Dublin region.
Subsequent to the publication of the Draft Transport Strategy, the Authority published, in October of last year, a report titled “Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - Core Dublin Network”. That report identified two key BRT routes: Blanchardstown to N11 (UCD); and Malahide Road (starting at Clongriffin) to Tallaght.
In addition, it identified that while a third corridor - the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor - would require a rail-based solution in the longer term, a BRT scheme along this corridor could cater for the projected transport demand in the short term.
The Authority is currently progressing initial designs for the three BRT schemes including the Swords /Airport Corridor, with the objective of reaching the stage of public consultation on route options later this year or early next year. In terms of progression to possible construction, the current capital programme up to 2016 only has funding for design and planning costs and does not include any funding provision for construction.
I have asked my officials to prepare a Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport which will inform future investment plans and in particular the next capital plan from 2017. This work, which will include a review of Metro North as well as other projects such as BRT, is underway. This plan will address the needs of the Swords /Airport Corridor and establish overall priorities having regard to available funding.
As the Deputy will appreciate, given the funding constraints I face, my priority is on maintaining and modernising existing infrastructure rather than building new infrastructure.
