Re-routing of MetroLink would alleviate traffic gridlock
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A COUNCILLOR, who is also a qualified architect, has submitted a proposal as part of the MetroLink Public Consultation process, outlining plans for the proposed Metro transport system to be extended to Firhouse, Rathfarnham and Templeogue.
Green Party councillor for Rathfarnham, Francis Noel Duffy, has suggested that re-routing the MetroLink to include areas of South West Dublin would “alleviate decades-long traffic gridlock” in the area.
Cllr Duffy said: “I’m delighted that, after many years, Dublin will finally see quality investment in a Metro line, serving the north of the city.
“I believe we’ll get better value for money by extending the MetroLink to serve South-West Dublin, with new stations at Rathmines, Terenure, and Rathfarnham.
“In the future, this would leave the potential for the Metro to be extended to Tallaght via Firhouse, further connecting the city’s rail transport infrastructure.”
Last March, the name of the €3billion project was changed from Metro North to MetroLink, and the period for accepting submissions as part of the public consultation came to an end last week.
Cllr Duffy continued: “The transport corridor in South West Dublin is one of the worst public transport blackspots in our city with no other easy solutions in sight.
“Taking this option would also remove the need to fully segregate the Luas Green Line, where there is real concern about restrictions to local access around existing stations.
“If Dublin and Ireland sees itself standing alongside its international counterparts, a modern accessible city rail infrastructure is needed. I believe this proposal offers that.”
The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have begun the process of reviewing the submissions that were made during the public consultation period, and plans for the preferred route of the scheme will be released in the third quarter of this year.
