Metro North...What's happening??

DrFroggies

The Muppet wrote: »

unfortunately I can't see metro north goiung ahead, for one its heading in the wrong direction

Whaaa???:eek:

The Muppet wrote: »

and two we won't get the money to build it.

Looks that way yeah

10belowzero

Forget the metro , extend the dart to Balbriggan(should have been done 20yr's ago) and provide point's on the northern line so that when a train breaks down the whole service do'es not come to a full stop , and while i'm on the subject irish rail might take in to account people in north county Dublin work on saturday's and sundays and provide a decent service on these day's.
As for metro north , I don't know why they can't take a branch off the northern line , before the estuary ,bring it across thru Sword's on to the airport , then in to Ballymun and across in to Finglas to meet the line around broombridge /finglas south area .
Given,that we are lucky not too be still burying the dead after the collapse of the viaduct (which was inspected and passed safe , the week it collapsed) I would not hold up much hope of any improvement in transport in the near future ,and when you consider a medieval boreen serve's Lusk /Rush and Skerries as a main road.
We are after all on the north side of the city , and civilization end's at Malahide,according to the planner's.

DrFroggies

10belowzero wrote: »

As for metro north , I don't know why they can't take a branch off the northern line , before the estuary ,bring it across thru Sword's on to the airport , then in to Ballymun and across in to Finglas to meet the line around broombridge /finglas south area.

Often wondered about that myself!

Great post by the way...the way you express your ire is kind of funny to read, but undeniably and depressingly astute

SeaSide

There was a path reserved for bringing the railline into the airport not sure if its been kept or not. Will try to find a link

Found it

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/cie-plans-two-rail-links-to-dublin-airport-terminal-504959.html

yosemite_sam

DrFroggies wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know what the craic is with Metro North? Been looking at Transport 21 website and RPA website and from what i can make out there's not been much progress lately.

Is it still due to be completed by 2013 as was stated in 2008 (by Noel Dempsey i think) and when exactly do they intend to break ground?

Has anyone heard if the current economic situation has stalled the process?

Also does anyone know where i can find that media thing showing the stations etc)? it was like a little animated film going from St Stephens Green trough to O'Connell St etc - it used to be on the Transport 21 website but i can't find it any more.

Cheers
DrF.

I've put this post on the Dublin City thread as well...

Get a bike

Beasty

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Get a bike

Thanks for that constructive post - I've got 5 bikes - unfortunately none of them are much use for carrying a 20kg suitcase

Really, if you cannot add something to the discussion, please don't bother posting

yosemite_sam

Beasty wrote: »

Thanks for that constructive post - I've got 5 bikes - unfortunately none of them are much use for carrying a 20kg suitcase

Really, if you cannot add something to the discussion, please don't bother posting

I'm serious, I cannot see any project like Metro North happening for at least another ten years. I can only have sympathy for you if you have to lug around a 20 kg suitcase every day, but I would not hold my breath for a Metro to ease you're daily toil

10belowzero

Fair play seaside for the link .

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/cie-plans-two-rail-links-to-dublin-airport-terminal-504959.html

I had no idea it had been proposed, back then ,there again they spend 3 billion on Ballymun regeneration , but sure who'd want a train there , won't the good old 36a/b do them.
There's some difference between 220 million and 5 billion for the metro nth.
I remember talking to a so called planner in Fingal C.C a few year's back , he laughed his head off at such a notion ,(train's running on track's thru ncd).
I wonder ,was it this genius that delivered the the magnificent new example of roadway above at the chuck wagon and the eyesore beside it.
I reckon they should dig a trench , just after the new bottle neck at the chuck wagon and place the moron that designed the road in it , up to his neck preferably.
No doubt ,the genius that delivered this huge contribution to our transport infrastructure will be put in charge of metro nth , which will more than likely veer off in to the Irish sea around Malahide and resurface some where in Wexford looking for direction's back to our beloved chuck wagon.
God help us all , I wou't leave our planner's alone in room for 5 minute's , with a scissor's and a sheet of paper , let alone let them plan any thing as important as proper transport infrastructure.

Daragh86

Metro North will be a complete waste of money if built on it's own. The city will be dug up for years on end to construct metro north and whenever the country comes into money again the same areas will be dug up again for further planned lightrail and underground in the pipeline. It'd be a waste of money at the moment, although it would be a good service (don't see it's need to go to Swords, bus services from Swords to the airport to get Metro from there would be adequate once the metro was in operation). What annoys me more is that there is still semi government organisations working on metro west - the single biggest waste of money and time I've ever come across. The Luas B1 extension opened recently is a big enough waste of money with unused stops and proposed temporary car parking facilities costing 2 million just to be ripped up in 3 years time and replaced with "state of the art facilities". Budgets should be cut for these semi government agencies so that they don't have the time or money to be conjuring up these ridiculous plans. OOHHHH and...B2 - another horrible waste of money, Bray already has the DART, it doesn't need light rail!!!

Metro North is a good plan but only if constructed at the same time as interconnector, dart underground and have a couple other transport plans put in place at the same time. Metro North construction proposes to reduce O'Connel bridge to one lane each direction with a 2m footway - think of O'Connell bridge with a 2m footway at 5pm weekdays - mental.

I'm finished now.

The Scientician

I wish they'd spend the much smaller sum of getting Swords and other local towns a fully adequate bus service. The Swords Express can take as little as 25 minutes to get into the city from the Pavillions but it doesn't run after 7.30pm citybound and 8ish Swordsbound. I don't understand why most other big suburban towns seem to have high frequency bus links at peak hours. Like the schedules for lots of the buses are laid out like "between 700hrs and 900hrs a bus every 5 minutes".

I'm not fully convinced Metro North is the best use of the money spent. For years people have mooted a DART connection between Swords and Malahide, was that deemed unfeasible? It would seem a better way of connecting Swords by rail to the rest of the city.

Also why do all these rail systems have different names. For the sake of out-of-towner/tourism clarity would it not make sense to brand them all the same?

DrFroggies

Well according to Dr James Reilly it's better for Metro North if we have a voice at the table.

He has his chance now so we'll see what happens.

Is Leo Varadkar as Minister For Transport a good or bad thing for Metro North? I seem to remember him saying he was in favour of it but don't recall him being especially committed to it.

And once again in relation to costs here's Dr James Reilly himself

It will put 5,000 construction workers back to work in addition to helping to create 37,000 new jobs in Fingal .
• Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore, TD said on RTE radio (Sat 2ndOct) that the Metro North project “would be shot back” by the Labour Party.
• I reject labours negative attitude to jobs and public transport in Fingal
• I recently met the Metro North project managers, (RPA) where the costs were clearly outlined.
• The 5,000 Construction Jobs will save the Govt. €100 million per annum in Social Welfare
The potential for additional New Jobs
• A recent meeting of Dublin Airport Authority outlined a 5,000 job international hub project on a 22 acre site at the Airport. The Metro is a key driver of this project
• 37,000 Fingal Job Potential according to international Consultants Indecon
The Real Costs
• The ‘Build’ cost is 50% of the exaggerated figures as speculated on in the media.
• Metro north is affordable – will be paid for over 30 years.(via PPP investment)
• Backed by European Investment Bank
• First payment on build cost not due for 5 years.
• Cost Benefit Analysis for €1 invested we get €2 back.
Fine Gael Party leader Enda Kenny supports Metro North
“I am positively disposed to the Metro North Project which will deliver key transport connectivity to Dublin City and put 5,000 construction workers back to work. It will deliver 37,000 jobs according to Indecon economic consultants. Large infrastructure projects will be subject to assessment by Fine Gael when in Government” said Enda Kenny.
The Labour Party’s negative attitude shocks me. They say they will invest in jobs but when asked by RTE’s Marian Finucane on Sat 2nd October, about Metro North, Eamon Gilmore said “it would be shot back”
I say invest in Fingal Jobs – build the Metro North Project now
Deputy James Reilly TD

http://reilly.ie/2010/10/19/why-i-back-the-metro-north-project/

Good to see Enda is on board too:D

Corsendonk

DrFroggies wrote: »

Well according to Dr James Reilly it's better for Metro North if we have a voice at the table.

He has his chance now so we'll see what happens.

Is Leo Varadkar as Minister For Transport a good or bad thing for Metro North? I seem to remember him saying he was in favour of it but don't recall him being especially committed to it.

And once again in relation to costs here's Dr James Reilly himself

http://reilly.ie/2010/10/19/why-i-back-the-metro-north-project/

Good to see Enda is on board too:D

I understand that Leo is know to take public transport unlike some of his fellow Dail members living in Dublin so thats a good starting point.

santry_goonshow

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/metro-north-and-dart-projects-unlikely-to-go-ahead-varadkar-502111.html

Okay at the outset apologies to all if this is done to death, I was sure there was another thread for me to post it into.

As someone who reluctantly voted FG and who lives in Northwood and works in Swords often I am biased, etc self interested in the project going ahead. Who wouldnt be if you lived anywhere between Blanchardstown and Malahide where there is a huge population not served by anything other than an inefficient bus service that had the ar$e cut out out of it in the last 2 years?

Ok so there it is. Varadkar knows nothing about transport. If he did he wouldnt reject the two projects that are going to kill the north city and north county. Instead lets have another southside train. Wonderful. More EU/IMF sanctioned jobs lost. Nice one Leo.

dan_d

*sigh*

What else did we expect really? The usual complete lack of foresight.

I mean, if they even went and looked at extending the DART to Drogheda, and a spur line to to airport.....that would be of some benefit. Since Metro North would cost too much.

As usual, North County Dublin gets completely abandoned on the public transport front. (and I've lived here my entire life, I get to say that!!:D)

We're heading back to the public transport we endured out here in the 1990's, rather than forward to an improved service - regardless of the money that's been swilling around for the last 10 years.

I'd be infuriated but I'm fed up doing that too.

santry_goonshow

dan_d wrote: »

*sigh*

What else did we expect really? The usual complete lack of foresight.

I mean, if they even went and looked at extending the DART to Drogheda, and a spur line to to airport.....that would be of some benefit. Since Metro North would cost too much.

As usual, North County Dublin gets completely abandoned on the public transport front. (and I've lived here my entire life, I get to say that!!:D)

We're heading back to the public transport we endured out here in the 1990's, rather than forward to an improved service - regardless of the money that's been swilling around for the last 10 years.

I'd be infuriated but I'm fed up doing that too.

Well,.. let me add to your woes. The situation is returning to the 1980s rather than the 1990s. The only two things we can say that has improved since 1989 is the extension of the DART to Malahide only [a dead end imho with no park and ride prospect and run with a "locals only" view] and the splitting up of the 41 routes. After that forget it. FF screwed this area, now FG [quel surprise] wants to do the same.

I think the Minister for Transport needs to look at the P for G and see what was promised for job activation. I heard on the Council webcast that the cost of the project is not a neat 1 billion because the Govt would get back a ton of income tax and corporation tax maybe 30% back before they have to stump up the money.

Eoineo

Bumping as the An Bord Pleanala decision was made today.

Coverage from the RTE News Website here.

The most disappointing thing is that the terminus has now changed. It was originally to terminate at Belinstown which is North of Swords. An Bord Pleanala have decided that it will now terminate at Dardistown. Which would put it terminating somewhere near the old cemetary with shuttles up & down to the Airport I think.

I'd say there are a lot of property developers & investors in the Swords area kicking themselves, particularly those who have invested in the Airside area. There was originally meant to be a Metro stop close to or within the site. People living in the Holywell area will now be left without the stop that they were promised.

What do the rest of the NCD residents think?

Corsendonk

Give it another couple of years of waiting for construction to start and it will be terminating at Santry. Every 6 months they seem to knock off a couple of stations. Dardistown isn't exactly the Airport either, if you go to most EU capitals the train station is under the Airport not down the road after getting a bus shuttle or taxi.

Dub13

From reading that RTE site it just says the rail depot is going to be moved,it does not say the line will be shorter.Does the rail depot have to be at the end of the line..?

Kumsheen

Dub13 wrote: »

From reading that RTE site it just says the rail depot is going to be moved,it does not say the line will be shorter.Does the rail depot have to be at the end of the line..?

Than't how i read it too.

It would be pointless if the line didn't go to Swords or the Airport. It's just the depot being moved.

Victor

Eoineo wrote: »

The most disappointing thing is that the terminus has now changed.

In fairness, that change happened last year.

It was originally to terminate at Belinstown which is North of Swords.

The plan is still to terminate at Swords, although closer to the town, not across open countryside.

An Bord Pleanala have decided that it will now terminate at Dardistown.

No, the depot has been moved to Dardistown.

Which would put it terminating somewhere near the old cemetary

Actually, while Fingal County Council have insisted it be called Dardistown, it is actually in Ballystruan and Ballymun townlands at the back of the Quick Park car park.

with shuttles up & down to the Airport I think.

Are you inventing this?

I'd say there are a lot of property developers & investors in the Swords area kicking themselves,

Those that were proposing development on land with iffy drainage where An Bord Pleanála rightly siad would be premature development.

particularly those who have invested in the Airside area. There was originally meant to be a Metro stop close to or within the site. People living in the Holywell area will now be left without the stop that they were promised.

A stop sis still proposed at Fosterstown, at the back of Airside, with more stops for the rest of Swords.

Corsendonk wrote: »

Every 6 months they seem to knock off a couple of stations.

It has been shortened once - as above, it is terminating at the north end of Swords, not further on in open countryside.

Dardistown isn't exactly the Airport either, if you go to most EU capitals the train station is under the Airport not down the road after getting a bus shuttle or taxi.

The station is proposed for just north of T2 and hte short-term car park. Approximately here: http://maps.google.ie/?ll=53.427889,-6.239435&spn=0.00071,0.002411&t=h&z=19&vpsrc=6&iwloc=13657563092425915704

Eoineo

No I wasn't making it up I managed to misinterpret the RTE report as was already pointed out to me by previous posters. Thank you for clarifying my misinformation in detail.

LeoB

Not being a regular commuter I have not really watched this very closely at all. But If this does not at least go through the airport and terminate North of Swords (Belfast Side) it will be a waste.

A park and ride somewher near Lissenhall seems logical when you consider the growth in population over the last 10 years

I dont use trains that often either but last year hop off plane in Stansted down an escalator on to a train and in London in 35minutes. Manchester the same. I think it was Frankfort in Germany had a travellator because it was a long walk but the train still stopped within the Airport.

If we are going to do it lets hope we do it right

martinn123

It's back................... Election anyone??


https://twitter.com/thejournal_ie/status/648854106451259392

Carawaystick

Its not back, its cancelled the same way as DU was - redesign and construction to start after 2 general elections...

martinn123

Taoiseach Enda Kenny denies that the plan is a pre-election stunt, because there are plenty of things he wanted to include but could not.

That's OK then.


http://www.newstalk.com/Capital-investment-plan-government-Metro-North-Dublin-Airport-roads-education-transport-Enda-Kenny-Joan-Burton

Alan Farrell

martinn123 wrote: »

That's OK then.


http://www.newstalk.com/Capital-investment-plan-government-Metro-North-Dublin-Airport-roads-education-transport-Enda-Kenny-Joan-Burton

Metro North was shelved in 2011. We said it would be reassessed in 2015. Its 2015, its been reassessed. Proximity to the election is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national Capital plans.

"Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said that the announcement of a new metro link between Dublin city centre, the Airport and Swords under today’s €27bn Capital Investment Plan is great news.
“Under this Capital Plan, there will be significant investment in public transport in Dublin to meet growing commuter needs and help reduce traffic congestion. Investment will be provided for the beginning of construction of Metro Swords in 2021. It’s hoped that it will be operational around 2026. The major transport link is great news and will improve competitiveness, as well as helping economic growth and quality of life in Dublin.
“The Capital Investment Plan will also see the completion of Luas Cross City. Funding will be provided for the upgrading of Quality Bus Corridors on core bus routes to improve journey times and with a view to progressing to Bus Rapid Transit status over time on a small number of key routes.
“Also in Dublin, there’s funding for the final phase of the City Centre resignalling programme, opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel and construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for commuter and intercity rail. And there will be investment for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan.
“This Plan will facilitate a major upgrade to the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand.

“The Plan announced by Government is affordable, sensible and it is consistent with our plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. It will promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.
“The decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our recovery. We are the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week. This plan will help spread the recovery around the country where we know many families have yet to feel the effects of the recovery.
“This is a good day for Dublin and very welcome news for people across the city and county.”

jwwb

Metro North was shelved in 2011. We said it would be reassessed in 2015. Its 2015, its been reassessed. Proximity to the announcement is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national election plans

BowWow

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Metro North was shelved in 2011. We said it would be reassessed in 2015. Its 2015, its been reassessed. Proximity to the election is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national Capital plans.

"Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said that the announcement of a new metro link between Dublin city centre, the Airport and Swords under today’s €27bn Capital Investment Plan is great news.
“Under this Capital Plan, there will be significant investment in public transport in Dublin to meet growing commuter needs and help reduce traffic congestion. Investment will be provided for the beginning of construction of Metro Swords in 2021. It’s hoped that it will be operational around 2026. The major transport link is great news and will improve competitiveness, as well as helping economic growth and quality of life in Dublin.
“The Capital Investment Plan will also see the completion of Luas Cross City. Funding will be provided for the upgrading of Quality Bus Corridors on core bus routes to improve journey times and with a view to progressing to Bus Rapid Transit status over time on a small number of key routes.
“Also in Dublin, there’s funding for the final phase of the City Centre resignalling programme, opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel and construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for commuter and intercity rail. And there will be investment for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan.
“This Plan will facilitate a major upgrade to the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand.

“The Plan announced by Government is affordable, sensible and it is consistent with our plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. It will promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.
“The decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our recovery. We are the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week. This plan will help spread the recovery around the country where we know many families have yet to feel the effects of the recovery.
“This is a good day for Dublin and very welcome news for people across the city and county.”

Username = Alan Farrell!
Are you quoting yourself?

McAlban

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Metro North was shelved in 2011. We said it would be reassessed in 2015. Its 2015, its been reassessed. Proximity to the election is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national Capital plans.

This Plan effectively means it will be reassessed in 2016 by the next government as FG did in 2011. If not scrapped completely it will like DART underground be sent back for "redesign". Which should be done by the time that government is ready for a new election with the 2020 Capital Expenditure Plan.

And so the Cycle will continue. 40 Years Already since CIE published their plan for an Airport Rail link. and now the Government is putting it back another 11 years.

Alan Farrell

McAlban wrote: »

This Plan effectively means it will be reassessed in 2016 by the next government as FG did in 2011. If not scrapped completely it will like DART underground be sent back for "redesign". Which should be done by the time that government is ready for a new election with the 2020 Capital Expenditure Plan.

And so the Cycle will continue. 40 Years Already since CIE published their plan for an Airport Rail link. and now the Government is putting it back another 11 years.

Hi McAlban,

This would not be the case as the capital plan announced in previous years did not include a budget allocation, just money from the Department toward the planning costs. On this occasion we have put the allocation up front to allow for the planning and design process, a planning application and enabling works in relatively short order.

I would have to assume that any Government that shelves a plan such as this, an economic driver in itself, would be very foolish. Most especially considering it has been on the cards since 1972.

The north city and county requires this in order to develop in an orderly fashion.

Alan Farrell

BowWow wrote: »

Username = Alan Farrell!
Are you quoting yourself?

Yes, I do that, from time to time. He said.

McAlban

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Hi McAlban,

This would not be the case as the capital plan announced in previous years did not include a budget allocation, just money from the Department toward the planning costs. On this occasion we have put the allocation up front to allow for the planning and design process, a planning application and enabling works in relatively short order.

I would have to assume that any Government that shelves a plan such as this, an economic driver in itself, would be very foolish. Most especially considering it has been on the cards since 1972.

The north city and county requires this in order to develop in an orderly fashion.

Deputy, (if it is you, and not some impersonator)

The North City and County required this at least 20 years ago. As you say Forfas advised planning and building in 1972/73. Successive Governments failed to Deliver. We were promised LUAS in 1996, which was postponed to "Phase 2" and then sent back for redesign as "METRO" first in 1999. and then again in 2005 for transport21. Postponed in 2011 by Fine Gael and now effectively sent back for redesign and postponed until 2026/27.

You said it in one yourself. Shelving a Plan like this is foolish. Minister Donohue shelved one last week, and has put another on the long finger this week.

Arthur Daley

Where does this leave the silly bus idea? Like we need more buses as an alternative.

I think for fg and labour they can't lose with this. They can canvas that they put it back on the plans (long finger). And if ff/sf try to shelve it next time they'll be cruxified.

Anyway if you are going to spend 2.5bn of our taxes, at least spend it on cap ex. It will boost employment once it starts.

martinn123

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Metro North was shelved in 2011. We said it would be reassessed in 2015. Its 2015, its been reassessed. Proximity to the election is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national Capital plans.

Alan, I and other regulars on this Forum appreciate that you post here, and under your Name and not as an anonymous.

However if you think that the Statement above is accepted by the Electorate in North Dublin, you are rather naive.

The proximity of the Capital Plan to an Election is no mere coincidence, it allows Politicians to make promises, add items to Election Literature, ( look up J Reilly Promises on Metro North ) .

I accept that the Metro had to be abandoned due to Financial constraints, and indeed welcome it's possible reintroduction, but don't take us for fools that we are being fed good news by a Gov't Party who are looking to be re-elected, and that after the Election all bets are off

Regards, and thanks for posting.

The Muppet

Great if it actually happens this time but the sceptic/realist in me doubts very much that it will even in the 12 year time frame announced today. its not due to start until after the next government have left office, if they were really committed they would at least have it started it during their next term in office.

The Hill Billy

McAlban wrote: »

Deputy, (if it is you, and not some impersonator)

I can confirm that boards member 'Alan Farrell' is indeed Alan Farrell, TD.

tHB

pinkypinky

I'm hopeful that it will go ahead this time. We did need it a long time ago - when I moved to Swords 8 years ago, it was still very much on the cards, and now it looks like I'll be almost 50 by the time it'll be ready to use. Getting the bus to town is fairly unpleasant and tediously long. This new decision won't affect my choice in the next general election but I hope that the plan having capital allocated to it means that it won't just be abandoned by whatever government is in next year.

Dizzyblonde

I'm hopeful this time too, it would be such a boost for the area. Swords is so big now, we need more public transport - and it would cut down a lot on traffic around the airport. The building of it would give years of employment to a lot of people too.

Like pinkypinky it won't affect how I vote either, but I hope that whoever wins the election goes ahead with this and the sooner the better.

Liam2012

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I can confirm that boards member 'Alan Farrell' is indeed Alan Farrell, TD.

tHB

But Alan Farrell resides in Drynam, I think. Has he moved to Malahide now, as per his location?

Dizzyblonde

Liam2012 wrote: »

But Alan Farrell resides in Drynam, I think. Has he moved to Malahide now, as per his location?

What is your point exactly, and do you have anything to contribute to the thread's topic? You've been told that the poster is indeed the TD Alan Farrell and where he resides is irrelevant.

Liam2012

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

What is your point exactly, and do you have anything to contribute to the thread's topic? You've been told that the poster is indeed the TD Alan Farrell and where he resides is irrelevant.

Apologies for my lack of contribution. I think it looks great and as a resident of Swords it is long overdue. Like everyone else we've down this road before and I'll believe it when I see it. I'm also sceptical of the timing of this announcement, just before an election. So I don't really have anything different to add.

I just find it very cynical that a local TD who is in real danger of losing his seat in a constituency that regularly returns new TDs will join this thread to ride on the coat tails of a government announcement that we've heard before, many times. If he lies to us about his location then how can he be trusted? I see his constituency office is in Malahide and that he's originally from Malahide but including Malahide as his location in his profile is misleading.

Apologies if this is off-thread, I don't want to de-rail (pun intended) the feel-good factor.

The Hill Billy

I've confirmed that Alan Farrell is who says who he is. End of story.
If you have any further issues with this take it to PM me.
If you want to discuss local politicians in a civil manner - start a new thread.

Back on-topic - ie, Metro North.

tHB

rubberdiddies

Alan I agree that you posting here is a positive so keep it up. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of your posts before the November election

However, the dogs on the street know that this is simply an election stunt. 75% or so of this announcement was all previously announced work. So very little new there. Just repackaged to try to 'fool' the electorate a little.

I really don't think Metro North will ever happen. Why leave the start until 2021? FG will blame planning applications etc for that but it's no excuse. Those dates just buy them time to avoid it.

LeinsterDub

Alan Farrell wrote: »

. Proximity to the election is merely a result of the rolling nature of the national Capital plans.

At least we see some rolling stock in the next 20 years . The constantly rolling transport plans


Also Alan would you agree this effectively kills our 2023 WRC bid (like it forced the Web summit out) and all the money , jobs and long term positivity this would of bought to Ireland ?

LeinsterDub

DrFroggies wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know what the craic is with Metro North? Been looking at Transport 21 website and RPA website and from what i can make out there's not been much progress lately.

Is it still due to be completed by 2013 as was stated in 2008 (by Noel Dempsey i think) and when exactly do they intend to break ground?

Has anyone heard if the current economic situation has stalled the process?

Also does anyone know where i can find that media thing showing the stations etc)? it was like a little animated film going from St Stephens Green trough to O'Connell St etc - it used to be on the Transport 21 website but i can't find it any more.

Cheers
DrF.

I've put this post on the Dublin City thread as well...

Opening post of this thread saying is all instead on being on board a underground to the Airport now it's 7 years before a sod is turned *


* a sod will never be turned it's all election lies

The Hill Billy

LeinsterDub wrote: »

...would you agree this effectively kills our 2023 WRC bid (like it forced the Web summit out) and all the money , jobs and long term positivity this would of bought to Ireland ?

Let's keep it local please. If you wish to discuss potential impacts to WRC 2023 & the Web Summit heading off to sunnier & cheaper climes with working wifi - please start a thread in the Infrastructure or some other more suitable forum.

Thanks,

tHB

Infini

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Hi McAlban,

This would not be the case as the capital plan announced in previous years did not include a budget allocation, just money from the Department toward the planning costs. On this occasion we have put the allocation up front to allow for the planning and design process, a planning application and enabling works in relatively short order.

I would have to assume that any Government that shelves a plan such as this, an economic driver in itself, would be very foolish. Most especially considering it has been on the cards since 1972.

The north city and county requires this in order to develop in an orderly fashion.

Yeah but tbh the whole way this has gone has been a Joke. DU shouldve been given priority over this metro. I mean think about it. The metro is basically a oversized luas but completely isolated from the other 2 systems. Stock and everything will go into this that cannot be used on other things. I mean if they went with DU it basically was ready to go and on top of that it would've benefited the ENTIRE Dublin region because the whole point of it was to remove the Connolly Bottleneck by splitting the lines into 2 major routes. By next year 3 different lines (Northern/Hazelhatch/Maynooth) traffic are gonna be converging on a single line from Connolly to Bray which bogs down the whole system long term.

If were gonna be building new lines like this it should be a heavy rail project because you can use the existing system and stock as well as getting new stock and on top of that that can be switched as neccessary and if its designed from the start to be profitable by running it through high density areas then it pays back in the long term and doesnt suffer the same cost issues like the waste thats the WRC and the legacy costs that are associated with maintaining a rail network through low density regions.

Ultimately as far as I can see this whole metro was raised from the dead as a pre-election gimmick. A system thats isolated from both luas and heavy rail and wont even begin getting built till the election after the election is just a joke. We shouldn't be building vanity projects like this anymore but stuff that gives both high flexibility and capacity. A glorified tram to the Airport isnt the answer and I feel like everything else that goes on in this country itll end up being made a mess of in the long term.

Alan Farrell

Infini2 wrote: »

Yeah but tbh the whole way this has gone has been a Joke. DU shouldve been given priority over this metro. I mean think about it. The metro is basically a oversized luas but completely isolated from the other 2 systems. Stock and everything will go into this that cannot be used on other things. I mean if they went with DU it basically was ready to go and on top of that it would've benefited the ENTIRE Dublin region because the whole point of it was to remove the Connolly Bottleneck by splitting the lines into 2 major routes. By next year 3 different lines (Northern/Hazelhatch/Maynooth) traffic are gonna be converging on a single line from Connolly to Bray which bogs down the whole system long term.

If were gonna be building new lines like this it should be a heavy rail project because you can use the existing system and stock as well as getting new stock and on top of that that can be switched as neccessary and if its designed from the start to be profitable by running it through high density areas then it pays back in the long term and doesnt suffer the same cost issues like the waste thats the WRC and the legacy costs that are associated with maintaining a rail network through low density regions.

Ultimately as far as I can see this whole metro was raised from the dead as a pre-election gimmick. A system thats isolated from both luas and heavy rail and wont even begin getting built till the election after the election is just a joke. We shouldn't be building vanity projects like this anymore but stuff that gives both high flexibility and capacity. A glorified tram to the Airport isnt the answer and I feel like everything else that goes on in this country itll end up being made a mess of in the long term.

You are of course entitled to your view. I don't agree.

Please check back the National Capital Plan dates to confirm that they are cyclical and not related to elections.

I'll repeat the fact that, in 2011 this plan was shelved. We said it would be reviewed and it was. The money is there and despite the best efforts of some, this is positive for everyone in the north county.

I can't comment on Dart Underground as it is not in my constituency and hasn't formed part of my transport thinking as I have been focusing on capacity for the stations within my constituency, Metro and other additional services like BRT and how they might help commuters in the North County.

The planning process for Metro is an unfortunate delay but of course entirely necessary. With the experience of BXD (LUAS Cross City) we now know the type of timeframe which can be expected for planning. That clearly isn't great news for the North County but once the planning is passed, we can expect construction in short order thereafter.

martinn123

Alan Farrell wrote: »

You are of course entitled to your view. I don't agree.

Please check back the National Capital Plan dates to confirm that they are cyclical and not related to elections.

I'll repeat the fact that, in 2011 this plan was shelved. We said it would be reviewed and it was.

Alan, please, there are no coincidences in Politics

Capital Plans are scheduled to allow politicians like yourself to champion in election literature the expenditure locally

Then once the Election is over, the ''Plan'' is subject to Post Election bargaining, depending on the outcome.

Can you check your Election Literature for the last election what was said about ''Metro North''

ALL parties were aware at the time of the state of public finances, and after the Election the Plan was deferred ( a correct decision )

So do not expect the Electorate of DCN to swallow your line that the Capital Plan, is not scheduled to be conveniently a few months before an Election.

Alan Farrell

martinn123 wrote: »

Alan, please, there are no coincidences in Politics

...

Can you check your Election Literature for the last election what was said about ''Metro North''

...

I think you'll find that Capital Plans are out of sync with elections. In fact, the transport element of the current capital plan is seven years, therefore it will most likely straddle two terms of Government, perhaps even three.

Of course, they are subject to small changes, additions etc, dependent on public finances, as we saw with the 2010 Plan. However, I think its fair to say that given our current economic position, we will see expenditure away above the planning costs incurred from 2007-2010 in a far shorter period. I would expect the planning process to commence in the next six months. (I'll be asking in the Dail next week.)

I did not mention Metro North in my personal leaflets in 2010 or 2011. It may have been mentioned in leaflets for both the Minister and I but I had no hand in their production.

I didn't, for example, erect posters on the matter. :rolleyes: