Back on track

LOCAL GAA clubs were celebrating last week after confirmation that the new preferred route for MetroLink will not now impact their pitches, plans or activities.

Previous 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.

And Ballymun Kickhams were recently informed that plans for their relocation from Collinstown Lane near Dublin Airport had been paused until final proposals were put through for the MetroLink.

In consultation with Home Farm FC, planners now propose to construct a more compact station under their pitch. The pitch will be unavailable during the construction process but will be restored afterwards.

However, despite the good news local TD, Dessie Ellis (SF), says locals now need to look at the latest plans as the route brings new issues of concern.

Announcing details of the new preferred route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said it deals with problems raised during the initial consultation process.

“Among the most significant changes is the proposal that the construction in the Mobhi Road area will no longer require the acquisition of the pitch belonging to Na Fianna CLG,” a spokesperson said.

“Originally it was proposed that pitches at Na Fianna and the adjacent Home Farm FC would be temporarily acquired for the seven-year duration of construction.

“In consultation with Home Farm FC, we now propose to construct a more compact station under their pitch. The pitch will be unavailable during the estimated three-year construction process but will be fully restored afterwards. There will be no impact on CLG Na Fianna pitches.”

Other changes in the new preferred route include a proposal to move the station in Ballymun a short distance.

“It will now lie adjacent to the R108 partly under the site of the old shopping centre, where plans are in place for a new mixed use quarter following its demolition,” the spokesman said.

“This will cause far less disruption during construction and we believe is a much better all-around solution for Ballymun.”

However, Dublin North West TD, Dessie Ellis (SF) has raised concerns about the Ballymun Station move and possible noise distruption around Northwodd during construction.

“The changes to the Ballymun station could close off development around the area for a number of years,” he said. “I’d be worried that a lot of potential business could be lost.”

Deputy Ellis said he was pleased his proposal to move the depot near Northwood to avoid the necessity of disruption to Na Fianna had been adopted.

But he also raised an issue about the tunnelling process causing noise pollution to Northside residents.

“I was speaking to the engineers and they need to construct a single bore tunnel that will going 24/7 because once the tunnelling machine starts operating it can’t be stopped because it can become misaligned,” he told Northside People.

“This could mean residents being subjected to a humming noise like a washing machine and some people may even feel it.

“It will be interesting to hear what An Board Pleanna say about that because this could be a serious issue.”

TFI has now launched a second, non-statutory public consultation on the new prreferred route that will remain open until Tuesday, May 21. Information on the new route is available on metrolink.ie and there will be public information events at The Gresham Hotel, O’Connell Street on Wednesday, April 10 from 2-8pm, Glasnevin Cemetery Museum on Thursday, April 11 from 2-8pm, and Ballymun Civic Offices, on Monday, April 15 from 2-8pm.