Skip to main content
Normal View

Light Rail Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (28, 85)

John Lahart

Question:

28. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the status of the feasibility study into bringing the metro to south-western areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35765/20]

View answer

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

85. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the status of his plans for feasibility studies for the metro south of St. Stephen's Green in respect of potential new or additional routes. [35788/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 85 together.

As Deputies are aware the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail / metro.

In line with international best practice the NTA is required by statute to develop a 20-year multi-modal Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area and, under law, that Transport Strategy must then be reflected in all relevant land-use plans. The legislation requires the NTA to review its 20-year Strategy every six years to allow for consideration of changed, or changing, circumstances.

I very much welcome this approach toward strategic transport planning and believe it allows for a whole-of-system review of transport needs considered within the broader context of population, employment and spatial trends. It is vitally important that we consider our transport requirements on a systemic level rather than focussing purely on one particular mode or another.

The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 was developed by the NTA a few years ago and, in line with its statutory obligations, the NTA has now commenced preparatory work on a review of the Strategy; that review will include consideration of possible future metro lines such as those referred to by the Deputies. The review will include a comprehensive analysis of changes to population projections, development density, employment forecasts and future travel demand patterns since the finalisation of the current strategy. This analysis will be utilized to reassess the public transport needs across the city and will include the evaluation of bus, light rail and metro options.

The review will be subject to a full public consultation, including the publication of all background reports and feasibility studies and that public consultation will take place next year.

Top
Share