THE National Transport Authority (NTA) has been urged to take on board the views and concerns of those who have made a submission as part of the public consultation process regarding the controversial BusConnects project.
Following the passing of the deadline for submissions on the proposed plan this week it has been claimed that there is still significant concern on the Southside among locals.
Fianna Fáil Local Election candidate in Kimmage-Rathmines, Deirdre Conroy, said that over the past number of months she had met with thousands of those affected by the proposed bus corridors in urban villages including Rathmines, Rathgar, Terenure, Kimmage, Harold's Cross and Crumlin.
“The degree of worry cannot be overstated,” Ms Conroy said. “I have no doubt that the NTA has been inundated with submissions from residents sharing their worry and concerns for the future of their communities. It’s essential that each of these submissions are thoroughly examined and the details outlined are taken on board.
“Imposing more double decker buses along quiet, historic, residential roads or narrow busy roads is not safe for school children or elderly residents. It is not competent nor in line with statutory provisions on protected structures.
“I aim to be elected on Friday, May 24 and I am going to continue with this campaign as a Dublin City Councillor to ensure that the introduction of better public transport services in Dublin won’t mean the destruction of important city heritage and architecture.”
Ms Conroy recently hosted a public meeting in Christ Church Hall, Rathgar that heard from experts including Paula Moore of the Action 12 Committee, Peter Nash, on behalf of ‘Rethink Metrolink’ and the CEO of Metro Dublin, Jed van de Poll.
Commenting after the meeting, MS Conroy added: “The impact of the National Transport Authority’s BusConnects project and each of the bus corridors as proposed is quite extensive and stretches across the city even as far as Shankill.
"Since it was first announced, this project has faced major opposition on the ground. Local residents in urban villages such as Terenure, Rathgar, Harold’s Cross and Kimmage, have been very vocal critics of the affect it will have on their communities.
“It’s been apparent from the coverage this issue has generated in recent months that there is a lot of work needed to get a transport project over the line in Dublin. Perhaps the NTA and the Department of Transport were of the view that residents would simply accept standard compensation?
“At this important stage in the public consultation process, I believe it’s most worthwhile that we explore the best alternative potentially on offer that can avoid the destruction of the landscape and historic architecture but that could also improve Dublin’s transport infrastructure.
“For instance, developing an underground MetroLink through South West and West Dublin as an alternative to BusConnects could potentially generate more housing in the Greater Dublin Area.
“It would certainly bring commuters into the city via a faster, arguably safer mode than other means of transport operating through bottlenecks.
The National Transport Authority has said revisions to the original plan are expected to be published by September.
The authority revealed that the date was pushed back due to the 30,000 submissions received during the initial consultation phase, “which are still currently being reviewed and analysed”.
The NTA also said that locals affected and politicians had complained that public consultations should not take place during summer months “when people are away and schools are out”.
“The important thing is that there will be a second round of public consultation, with a revised network,” a spokesperson pointed out.