Graves calls for end to Swords “traffic chaos”

Sinn Féin TD Ann Graves has called for solutions to what she calls the “traffic chaos” in Fingal.

The Swords TD said that public transport in Swords has simply not kept up with population growth.

“When I moved to Swords 35 years ago; the population was 17,000, now it has grown to 47,904.” 

Graves said “the-then Fianna Fáil government promised to deliver Metro North; 35 years on they have rebranded it to Metrolink, but they have still failed to deliver.”

“Consecutive governments have flip-flopped on the metro, and now the government can’t agree on when construction is likely to start.”

She said the government is “dithering” on solving the traffic chaos in the area.

Much has been written about the Metrolink and its potential as a silver bullet to the traffic issues which plague Swords, but Graves proposed a more immediate solution.

“A more deliverable and cost-effective solution is to construct a rail link between Clongriffin and the airport and on to Swords as an interim measure while we continue to wait.”

The Sinn Féin TD said “the government’s lack of a public transport plan affects ordinary people going about their lives.”

“Bus services in Swords are inconsistent, disappearing buses cause hardship and there are ludicrous practices drivers are instructed to follow.”

Graves told the Dáil about the litany of issues facing her constituents.

“The 33B from Donabate regularly does not turn up, and when it does, it is an overcrowded single-decker bus.”

“Early morning commuters using the 142 to get into Dublin are continuously left at bus stops because the buses are full, therefore denying the public a service to the city centre and to UCD,” was another example given by Graves.

“These are a few examples of just how badly wrong this government has got public transport. It needs to change. It can change.”

“Sinn Féin are proposing to increase both capital and current funding of public transport, progressing Metrolink, ensuring fares on public transport are affordable and making public transport accessible for all,” she said.