The Rethink Metro Group have asked us to publicise their call to action: to have your say and make an online submission to the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy consultation which closes this Friday 22nd January.
We need everybody in your household to make online submissions using the link below. This also includes an overview of the review which will establish the priority transport projects up to 2042:
You will recall the NTA announced last year that the new Metrolink line would terminate at Charlemont at the Grand Canal near Ranelagh where it meets the Luas Green line and a Railway Order is now planned for mid 2021. The NTA said it would tunnel past the Charlemont stop to allow the conversion of the Luas to Metro “to occur at an appropriate point in the future”. This approach needs to change and should align to the long-term plans of Metro South which will be a major focus of the review.
The NTA have initiated a number of studies, the results of which will be fed into the review process. These include:
• Assessment of Metro to Terenure-Rathfarnham-Knocklyon
• Assessment of Metro to UCD-Sandyford.
In your online individual submission you will firstly need to complete “multiple choice tick-box” questions and then at the end add specific feedback in the comments field or attach a document. Sample text you can pick and choose from for your comments and tailor:
• I welcome the consultation. However, I am concerned that pending the outcome of the strategic review, the NTA/TII is proceeding with incremental investment in solutions that are aligned with current strategy, but which may pre-empt the conclusions of the current strategy review including the Rail Order on Metrolink, possible alternatives to the current proposed Charlemont/LUAS solution as well as a potential city-centre location for an integrated public transport hub.
• I welcome assessments underway of Metro to Terenure-Rathfarnham-Knocklyon and Assessment of Metro to UCD-Sandyford. These routes makes much more sense than current plan to replace the LUAS Green Line from Charlemont to Sandyford. What city centre locations will be included in these studies? Specific public consultation is required on these.
• The proposed extension of the MetroLink to Sandyford at a later date is not an acceptable solution for the communities living along the LUAS Green Line. The division of the our communities and the loss of easy access as a consequence of the fully segregated rail line is not a viable solution. The social costs of the transport link are far too high and the considerable long term downsides of the proposed MetroLink extension far outweigh any of the potential benefits.
• The closure of the LUAS Green Line for up to 2 to 3 years, even on a phased basis, during the construction is unacceptable. The disruption to over 80,000 commuters (by that time) and the increase in traffic which will arise from this cause chaos on all of the main arteries into the city from the Southside.
• The NTA should revert to the creation of an integrated transport hub in St. Stephens Green which would allow for the interchange between the MetroLink and the LUAS Green line and cater for the development of the DART Underground should it ever be resurrected instead of having the LUAS/MetroLink interchange at Charlemont. This would not only save money but would also allow the MetroLink to continue East onto UCD or to South West as appropriate.
Thanks again for your support.
Rethink Metrolink Team
More information can be found at https://rethinkmetrolink.ie/