AIRPORT DART LINK MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE - KENNY

Posted on July 25, 2011 12:02 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin North East T.D., and Oireachtas Transport Committee Member Seán Kenny today commented on newspaper reports over the weekend that the Metro North project would not proceed.

"Metro North does have merit, but it is simply too expensive given the economic situation that the country is now in. While no final decision has been made, it is clear that adjustments to the capital spending budget will have to be made. The fact is that there is a clear and much less expensive alternative method of connecting Dublin City by rail to Dublin Airport, that being the DART Spur from Clongriffin DART station to the Airport."

"In recent weeks, the Government has sought a cost outline from Irish Rail for a link-up to the airport by DART, and I have welcomed that and supported the proposal for the link from Clongriffin to the Airport. This project would cost €200m less than a tenth of what Metro North would cost. Falling land prices and lower construction costs are part of what makes this project much cheaper."

"It is proposed that trains would operate from the Airport to Dublin Connolly and Pearse stations every 15 minutes, with a journey time of 25 minutes into the city. There would be no impact on existing services because Iarnród Eireann is upgrading the signaling system, allowing 20 trains to use the line every hour compared with 12 at present."

"It is also important that the DART Underground line is proceeded with. This line would connect all the existing railway services in Dublin with each other and would have a positive effect on railway services around the country that connect with Dublin - railway traffic would be less congested, and railway users in Dublin itself would avail of a much faster, more comprehensive service. The link between Clongriffin DART station and Dublin Airport would enhance that more comprehensive service.