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Metrolink and Planning.
There has been a lot of talk, primarily from @fiannafailparty and @greenparty_ie about not following the plan the Green Line was designed for and instead making Metrolink go to Rathfarnham.
We don't think this is a good idea.
Metrolink and Planning.
There has been a lot of talk, primarily from @fiannafailparty and @greenparty_ie about not following the plan the Green Line was designed for and instead making Metrolink go to Rathfarnham.
We don't think this is a good idea.
Metrolink was originally going to go from Swords to Sandyford in one complete line. The tunnel would emerge around Charlemont and continue on the Luas tracks to Sandyford.
There is a misconception that the Green Line section was abandoned to keep Dunville Avenue open
There is a misconception that the Green Line section was abandoned to keep Dunville Avenue open
What actually happened was a sewer underneath Grand Canal Parade was pointed out by Dublin City Council during the first public consultation that could not be avoided
So the tunnel portal had to be moved south to north of Beechwood Station.
This new portal site was much smaller
So the tunnel portal had to be moved south to north of Beechwood Station.
This new portal site was much smaller
The new site would contain a New Beechwood Luas station north of Dunville Avenue, the tunnel portal itself and a new Beechwood Metro Station, as well as ultimately keeping Dunville Avenue open to traffic.
It was more complex and required that section of the luas line to close
It was more complex and required that section of the luas line to close
The luas would still run from Broombridge to Ranelagh and from Cowper to Brides Glen. But the construction period would add 4 years onto the entire Metrolink project, as the portal and Green line upgrade would need to be complete before the whole line could be tested
This would mean Metrolink might not have opened until 2031 or later.
So the decision was made to split the project in two. The tunnel would go as far as Ranelagh and that part of the line would be opened in 2027.
So the decision was made to split the project in two. The tunnel would go as far as Ranelagh and that part of the line would be opened in 2027.
By doing this the Green Line Upgrade construction period could be reduced down to 2yrs (most of this period only Beechwood station would close and the rest of the line would remain operational)
Meaning, if begun immediately after Metrolink opened, the new line could open in 2029
Meaning, if begun immediately after Metrolink opened, the new line could open in 2029
So by doing it in two phases we get Metrolink on time and the Green Line Upgrade can be delivered sooner than if done all at once.
But after this was announced, many people decided its a good opportunity to divert the line away from the Green Line and serve other areas
But after this was announced, many people decided its a good opportunity to divert the line away from the Green Line and serve other areas
Sounds like a decent plan right?
But it ignores the fact that Metro South (The Green Line Upgrade) is part of the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy 2016-2035, which is legislatively underpinned.
Meaning the NTA is legally required to follow the route set out in it.
But it ignores the fact that Metro South (The Green Line Upgrade) is part of the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy 2016-2035, which is legislatively underpinned.
Meaning the NTA is legally required to follow the route set out in it.
There is however a mechanism to review the strategy every six years and make appropriate changes.
The first review is in 2022.
Meaning, if we do want to divert the line then we have to wait until 2022. At which point the mandatory public consultation must begin
The first review is in 2022.
Meaning, if we do want to divert the line then we have to wait until 2022. At which point the mandatory public consultation must begin
Followed by a new round of engineering and design, followed by a brand new application to An Bord Pleanala, and then waiting another year for the decision to be made.
Following this idea will mean Metrolink wont begin construction until 2024/25.
Following this idea will mean Metrolink wont begin construction until 2024/25.
When we further consider that a new alignment to the south west will be totally underground, the construction period for it will be longer than the original line which is part above ground.
A ball park figure being 8 years.
Meaning it could be 2033 before the metro opens
A ball park figure being 8 years.
Meaning it could be 2033 before the metro opens
This doesn't even address the fact that a line to the south west will do nothing to address the fact that the Green Line is reaching the limits of what it is capable of carrying.
Metrolink is due to go to An Bord Pleanala THIS YEAR. The Railway order is due to be award next year with construction beginning shortly after.
With this new plan, it will be 2025 before we see shovels in the ground.
With this new plan, it will be 2025 before we see shovels in the ground.
South West Dublin deserves a high capacity, high frequrency rail line to connect it with the rest of the city.
But adding it on as an afterthought to the current Metrolink alignment will mean delays for everyone and continued overcrowding on the Green Line.
But adding it on as an afterthought to the current Metrolink alignment will mean delays for everyone and continued overcrowding on the Green Line.
