This could have a major impact on public transport in the capital.
Business group Dublin Chamber has expressed “deep concern” over suggestions that an underground public transport system linking all DART, rail and Luas services in the capital won’t be given the go-ahead.
Dublin Chamber was responding to suggestions that the DART Underground project will not be included in the Government’s National Development Plan, due to be announced on Friday, 16 February.
Even if the full project, which was first mooted in the 1970s, cannot be advanced over the lifetime of the National Development Plan (intended to guide national, regional and local planning and investment decisions in Ireland until 2040), Dublin Chamber says that the bare minimum funding must be put aside so that the project remains a viable future option.
That funding, the Chamber says, should be set aside to allow the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to continue with design and planning work and to allow Iarnrod Éireann to progress the acquisition of key sites along the proposed DART Underground route.
“It is of vital importance for the future of Dublin that the DART Underground project goes ahead,” said Dublin Chamber CEO Mary Rose Burke.
“DART Underground would have economic benefits which reach far beyond the Greater Dublin Area. It would link up our southern and western rail-lines with the DART, eastern and northern rail-lines. It will more than double capacity on the Maynooth, Kildare and Drogheda routes, which in turn will enable more frequent and better integrated rail services. The project, combined with Metro North, will also allow people to travel from Dublin Airport directly to Cork, Limerick and Galway.”
The DART Expansion Programme, including DART Underground, has been given strong endorsements by the NTA and TII and, according to Dublin Chamber, will offer a number of benefits, including improving the efficiency of public transport, reducing carbon emissions and improving the economy.
In terms of the economic benefit, for example, the NTA estimates the DART Underground project would provide total net benefits of €6.12 billion; Dublin Chamber says it has already cost the taxpayer €44 million in consultants, design and staff costs for the initial planning and design states.
“Compared to expensive motorway projects, which require extensive exchequer funding for annual maintenance, DART Underground would be likely to break even in operating terms,” Burke added.
“The DART Underground project will be essential to keep Dublin and surrounding counties into the future. Without it, Dublin’s ability to cope with the projected jobs and population growth will be placed in severe jeopardy.”
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