Metro South West Group urges NTA to carry out review of MetroLink extension

The National Transport Authority’s (NTA) decision to include the potential for the extension of the MetroLink to south west Dublin has been welcomed by the Metro South West Group (MSWG).

In January, the NTA published the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2024 which outlined the development of various rail, cycle, and road infrastructure over the next 20 years.

It also said that it will examine the possibility of extending the planned MetroLink line into Knocklyon and Tallaght.

However, construction of the service would only begin after 2042 at the earliest, it said.

The strategy said it will “assess the requirement to provide additional Metro lines in the GDA based on updated forecast demand for travel and on emerging significant changes in land use and spatial policy, including previously considered options to extend MetroLink southwards towards UCD, or along the existing Luas Green Line, or towards South West Dublin.”

In a statement, the MSWG said it welcomed the NTA’s decision to explore the feasibility of the project.

“This commitment was not included in the various drafts of the strategy and we are most grateful to Minister Ryan, the Oireachtas Joint Transport Committee and our local public representatives in Dublin Bay South, Dublin South Central and Dublin South West for working very hard to achieve this change,” it said.

“We are still anxious to be heard by the Oireachtas Transport Committee on the pressing needs of the 350,000 people in the south west city for proper public transport.”

However, the group says that a review of the scheme should be conducted sooner rather than later.

“We asked that the assessment of continuing MetroLink to south west Dublin should commence now, but disappointingly the NTA intends to postpone this review for six years,” it said.

“The assessment is badly needed because of a seriously flawed assessment (Metro to Knocklyon Feasibility Study) carried out by the NTA before launching the Transport Strategy 2022-42, and without any consultation with local interests.

“In the meantime, the NTA is pushing ahead with seeking the approval of An Bord Pleanála to bring MetroLink as far south as Charlemont/ Ranelagh.

“This would involve bypassing Portobello, Harolds Cross and most of Rathmines and thereby potentially adversely affect the transport user benefits of continuing MetroLink to South West Dublin.

“There is time to carry out the review of continuing MetroLink to south west Dublin before metro construction commences, but we need to get on with this review.”

The group now asks An Bord Pleanala to only “approve MetroLink as far as St Stephen’s Green.”

This would “not pre-empt or reduce the benefits of continuing MetroLink to South West Dublin.

“When the flaws in the Metro to Knocklyon Feasibility Study have been rectified, the trajectory of MetroLink south of St Stephens Green can be decided.”