Written answers

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

Department of Transport

Public Transport

10:00 pm

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the additional funding that has been set aside for the Metro North project to ensure that the project is built underground through Ballymun and Glasnevin. [17680/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The RPA engaged in extensive consultation on the arrangements for Metro North in Ballymun. Whilst it was very clear that there is overwhelming public support for the concept of Metro North serving Ballymun it was also clear that a significant majority of those consulted were in favour of an underground option.

In April 2007 the Board of the RPA approved the underground (cut and cover) option as the preferred alignment for Metro North through Ballymun. Since the RPA Board were in the best position to reach this conclusion, the Minister considered it appropriate that he should accept this decision.

This design change will require an adjustment to the capital envelope for the project. It is my intention that any necessary adjustment to the capital envelope for Metro North will be met from within the overall Transport 21 capital envelope.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine when a decision will be reached on the exact locations of the DCU and Griffith Avenue Metro North stations; and if further consultation is planned with affected residents. [17681/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Following an extensive public consultation process the selected route for Metro North was announced in October 2006. Metro North will have 15 stops, including ones at DCU, Griffith Avenue and Drumcondra.

The Railway Procurement Agency are at present preparing of an Environmental Impact Statement and other documentation required to support an application to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order (the legal permission needed to build and operate Metro North).

The RPA continues to engage extensively with residents along the route of Metro North in exploring mechanisms for addressing their concerns (including concerns about the location of the Griffith Avenue and DCU stops and the tunnel alignment between Drumcondra and Griffith Avenue). The RPA have also responded to individual queries raised by residents and businesses and have had meetings with many of these stakeholders to discuss their concerns.

The RPA has received many, and sometimes irreconcilable requests, from residents along the route of Metro North. On 15 June, RPA wrote to over 2,000 residents setting out the current status of work and committing to follow up with an analysis of other tunnel alignment options that would make greater use of green space. When these options have been further developed, RPA will write to all affected residents again enclosing details of the options and seeking comments on them. It is important to note that whichever route is chosen will pass beneath houses, businesses and other buildings.

A programme to address concerns expressed about the location of the DCU stop has also been put in place by the RPA.

The comments of residents will feed into the overall environmental assessment of the options so that the detailed tunnel alignment and stop locations for this portion of Metro North can be finalised in order to make a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine the way Metro West will serve Finglas and Meakstown. [17682/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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After studies of possible Metro West routes the RPA has identified two main route options. Route Option 1 runs west of the M50 via Clondalkin, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown, (with possible stops at Meakstown and Sillogue). Route Option 2 runs west of Clondalkin via Lucan and Blanchardstown and serving Blanchardstown Institute of Technology and Ballycoolin (with possible stops at Harristown and Sillogue). Various sub-options have also been identified.

Since the RPA could not identify a possible feasible alignment, there are no plans for Metro West to serve Finglas directly. The possible stop at Meakstown would, however, serve the northern fringe of the Finglas area.

The route finally selected may be a combination or variation of the Options I or 2 or other options identified during the public consultation process which took place November 2006 to February 2007. Approximately 850 submissions were received by the RPA during this time. I expect the RPA to make an announcement on the preferred route of Metro West in the near future.

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