Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport when works are expected to commence on the necessary infrastructural provisions for the dedicated BusConnects corridors in Dublin; the liaison and consultations that will take place between the National Transport Authority and households that have had compulsory purchase order notices on foot of the proposed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30736/22]
View answer86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the timelines for the implementation of BusConnects in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30692/22]
View answerThe question relates to the implementation of BusConnects in Dublin.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 86 together. I am responding on behalf of the Minister.
As the Deputy may be aware, the BusConnects Dublin preliminary business case was approved by the Government on 8 March of this year, on the Minister's recommendation.
Approval of this business case allows the 16 core bus corridors to enter the planning process. The NTA will submit the 16 corridors as 12 applications to An Bord Pleanála. The first of these, from Clongriffin to the city centre, was submitted in April and the second, from Belfield or Blackrock to the city centre, was submitted in early May. Two further applications, the Blanchardstown to city centre scheme and the Liffey Valley to city centre scheme, will be made in June, with the remainder to follow during the second half of 2022. In parallel, a construction strategy is being developed for all corridors which will include the commencement of the procurement of contractors. The timing of the construction contract award and commencement will be determined by the decision timeline of An Bord Pleanála with regard to the planning consent applications.
If the compulsory purchase order, CPO, is confirmed by An Bord Pleanála and subject to any legal challenges by way of judicial review, a document called a notice to treat will be served on each landowner whose land is being acquired. Following service of the notice to treat, the landowner will be required to submit a claim for compensation, at which stage the NTA will engage with all landowners with regard to their specific requirements. The NTA is available to discuss the CPO process with any resident who may have specific queries or concerns.
As with all schemes where roads and streets are being upgraded, there will be some temporary disruption and alterations to on-street and off-street parking provision and access to premises in certain locations along the proposed scheme. Local arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis to maintain continued access to homes and businesses affected by the works, where practicable. Details regarding temporary access provisions will be discussed with homes and businesses prior to construction starting in the area.
The C spine is up and running in Lucan. It has been a very big change and there are definitely still some teething problems but, by and large, many people have felt the benefit of it. The night-time schedule has been especially welcome. People who have not felt the benefit are those used to having a bus service to the city centre but no longer do so. I am talking about people living in places such as Doddsborough, Hillcrest and Laraghcon. Those of us who use the C spine, especially during rush hour or on busy weekends when there are concerts in town or matches, can clearly see that there is still a need for better frequency on the route. However, the fundamental concern I have is that areas that had a direct link to the city centre are now underserved, to put it mildly. That is not progressive. It is regressive. Senator Currie and I had a number of meetings with representatives from the NTA but it was not meaningful engagement because the bottom line is that nothing has changed for those residents. They still do not have a service and neither do the people who were promised the W8 orbital route, such as those working in Greenogue or Citywest or those living in Saggart, Newcastle or Rathcoole who may be going to college in Maynooth or Tallaght, because that service is yet again being delayed. Will the Minister of State give me an update on this for my constituents?
While BusConnects is controversial in certain places, it really is not in others. We cannot wait for it on the north side, if I am quite honest, although there are a few pinch points along certain routes such as the Swords Road and the Malahide Road. I asked the NTA recently about the Swords Road. It serves Dublin Airport and is critical in serving the emerging city that is Swords. I was told it would be the end of 2024 before we would see that route being introduced. I must admit that this is a little bit of a disappointment, given that it is our national airport and in light of the delays to the delivery of MetroLink. Will the Minister of State ask the Department to redouble its efforts with the NTA in terms of the Swords spine, which is essential in serving upwards of 300,000 people along its route? Given that MetroLink is proposed to serve 500,000 people along the route, this is not dissimilar. I very much welcome the delivery of this particular BusConnects spine as soon as possible.
I thank the two Deputies for their comments, which I will relay to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The BusConnects network redesign for the entire bus network in Dublin, as overseen by the NTA, is being rolled out in 11 phases. It began in 2021 with the launch of the first two phases: the H spine from Howth or Malahide to the city centre in June, and the C spine in November. Phase 3, which was launched in May of this year, consists of two northern orbital routes: the N4 from Blanchardstown to Point Village and the N6 from Finglas to Howth Junction. A further two phases will be introduced later this year and all 11 phases are due for completion by 2025. I will raise the issues highlighted by the Deputies with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and I will have him come back to them on the matter.
I will also take this opportunity to bring to the attention of the Minister of State the withdrawal without any prior notice of a very important bus service in my area. On 6 June, I got a note from a commuter who used the 68X every morning to get to work. He was letting me know that after a full week of going down to the bus stop and waiting for his regular morning bus to get to work, it had not shown up once. He wondered what had happened to the 68X that week. Unbeknown to us as local representatives and without any communication whatsoever to the people using this service, Dublin Bus had cancelled it overnight. It gave no notice or communication. Eventually, it replied to my representations and directed me to a statement in which it had announced this withdrawal. Dublin Bus issued this statement one week after the 68X service had been cancelled. I was absolutely lost for words and will instead read the words of one of my constituents:
This whole episode is embarrassing, subpar and really needs investigating and some strong inputs from our Minister for Transport. If left unactioned, where is the next cut going to be? How might that affect the next group of employees trying to get to work and pay their taxes? Can you raise this with Minister Ryan, please?
This communication with commuters who are trying to travel to work does not sound in any way acceptable. I will certainly raise this with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who I am sure will raise it with the NTA.
