MetroLink update deferred

HOPES have been raised that a delay in a MetroLink update due to be announced this month could mean good news for local sports clubs and schools.

A consultation process on plans officially began in May after Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TFI) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) publically announced an emerging preferred route last March.

However, the plans included a tunnel boring construction site in Glasnevin, which would mean the loss of pitches for GAA club Na Fianna and Home Farm soccer club.

Local schools including Scoil Chaitriona and Scoil Mobhí also expressed concerns over health and safety implications for pupils and staff.

The sports clubs and schools campaigned strongly against the emerging preferred route, encouraging thousands to engage with the consultation process and oppose the tunnel-boring site.

Last week transport officials admitted there had been a “high level” of interest from the public to the proposed 26km high frequency metro from Swords to Sandyford.

The volume of submissions means that an update to the plans expected this month has now been put back to early 2019.

“The MetroLink engineering designers are carefully considering all the issues raised and as a result are reviewing the Emerging Preferred Route to take into account those concerns and suggestions made as appropriate,” a spokesperson said.

“It was hoped that the project would be in a position to update the public by November, but the process is taking longer than anticipated. 

“We now expect to update all stakeholders and hold the second non-statutory consultation early in the new year.”

National Transport Authority (NTA) officials confirmed at an Oireachtas Transport Committee meeting in June that they were considering an alternative solution for the tunnel-boring site.

Engineers are understood to be working on a ‘single-bore’ tunnel design that would do away with the need a tunnel-boring depot at Na Fianna’s pitches.

However, local organisations now face an anxious wait for confirmation that the depot will be moved. There may also be a knock-on effect for other local areas if the tunnel-boring site is relocated.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin North West, Noel Rock, said MetroLink needed a “clear timeline that is set in stone” following the latest setback to the consultation process. 

“This lack of certainty on the timeline isn’t helping anybody,” he said.

“While it shouldn’t delay the date of the commencing and completion of construction, it is hitting the schools affected by uncertainty quite hard.

“When the NTA testified before the Transport Committee in June at my insistence, they said they would work to minimise this uncertainty. They do not appear to be doing so. This is regrettable.

“I want to see those affected by the construction of this project given certainty as to their future and I equally want to see us moving ahead with MetroLink, which, for the Northside, is vital.”

Deputy Rock said that many local residents welcomed the project and both the schools and sports clubs have also said they had no opposition to MetroLink.

“Speaking in the short term, many have concerns arising from the proposed route and construction and such delays will only feed their anxiety,” he added.

“Fresh plans and feedback need to be published as soon as possible.”