Approval has officially been granted for Dublin’s long-anticipated MetroLink project, which will connect the city centre to the airport, reports RTE.
An Coimisiún Pleanála released the Railway Order this morning, effectively authorising construction of the MetroLink Project.
The MetroLink will feature a new 18.8-kilometre railway line, primarily underground, running from Charlemont, near the heart of Dublin, to Swords Estuary in the northern part of the county.
Originally proposed back in 2000, the project was postponed during the financial downturn, reports RTE.
It has been nearly three years since An Comisiún Pleanála began deliberating on whether to approve the proposal, following the submission of a Railway Order application by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in November 2022.
The Railway Order includes specific conditions, requiring compliance with measures designed to safeguard local amenities and preserve heritage features, reports RTE.
According to An Comisiún Pleanála, an independent panel of experts must evaluate and approve assessments related to certain locations, such as the area surrounding Charlemont Station.
This review will mainly concern “sensitive buildings” and “protected structures,” reports RTE.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
These requirements aim to protect architectural heritage and reduce the potential for structural damage during construction.
Developers will also need to present plans in situations where the building work may interfere with residential life or services.
For instance, before work begins, the developer must provide an alternative training facility for Fingallians GAA. In another case, the removal of parking spaces at The Court, an apartment complex in Glasnevin, will require the developer to provide replacement spaces for residents until work on Glasnevin Station is completed, reports RTE.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien welcomed the development, calling it a “critical nation-building project for Ireland’s future”.
“MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and – by linking directly with Dublin airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services – the entire country,” he said, reports RTE.
“MetroLink will provide a fast, high capacity, high frequency public transport route, and it will enable the construction of tens of thousands of new homes,” reports RTE.
Although An Comisiún Pleanála has now approved the project, it still requires final sign-off by the Cabinet before construction can officially commence.
Building the new transport line is expected to span several years, and the ultimate cost remains undetermined, reports RTE.
Dublin’s metro has been under discussion for more than 25 years, with numerous attempts made to push the project forward over the decades.
However, the MetroLink plan has faced criticism from some quarters over fears of escalating costs and delays, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
