19 October 2006
Greens welcome Dublin Metro route
– But Party will push for improvements before railway order is signed, including a link from Ballymun to Baldoyle

Green Party Transport spokesperson Eamon Ryan TD said today: "We
welcome the proposed routing of the Metro route in Dublin via
Drumcondra, DCU and Ballymun. By providing people with a high quality
public transport option quality of life will be improved for everybody
in the city. Our aim should be to make Dublin the best serviced capital
city in the world. That vision requires us to have a first class public
transport system."
"A lot of emphasis has been placed on the role of
such a line in servicing the airport, but it will also provide a
valuable service for Croke Park, the Mater Hospital, DCU and Swords.
"The
revised route which will connect with the mainline rail station at
Drumcondra makes particular sense. However the Green party will be
looking for a number of improvements to the design before the railway
order for construction is signed."

These recommendations include:
1. The extension of the line to Donabate rather than Lissenhall, as the
proposed park and ride facility at Lissenhall will not bring
significant transport benefits and the rapid expansion of the Donabate
area urgently requires a public transport link.
2. The line should also be extended on the south of the city from St
Stephens Green to the Luas stop at Beechwood from where the old
Harcourt line could then be upgraded to Metro status. This would solve
the problem of excess demand on that line and provide proper
integration between the north and south sides of the city.
3. The station at St Stephens Green should be constructed on the
existing road space on either the west or south side of the Green to
avoid disturbance to the Green itself.
4. The construction of the Metro should be accompanied by the building
of a new light rail line from Ballymun to Baldoyle which could be
introduced in conjunction with the development of a new distributor
road being planned for the same rapidly expanding area.
"The Green Party in Government will ensure that the Metro is built to
budget and as quickly as possible, and that these improvements would be
included in a transport plan for the next ten years," concluded Deputy
Ryan.
[ENDS]
Information:
Eamon Ryan TD: 01 618 3097 / 086 829 4429
Damian Connon, Press Office: 01 618 3852 / 087 228 1119