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16th Nov 2021

Eamon Ryan aims to transform Dublin into “one of those continental cities where you don’t have to have a car”

Stephen Porzio

Heuston Masterplan Ireland November 2021 Eamon Ryan

The Transport Minister has unveiled his ‘Heuston Masterplan’…

The 10-hectare site around Dublin’s famous Heuston Station is set to become “largely car-free” under new plans published by CIÉ.

Contained as part of the Heuston Masterplan launched by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan on Tuesday, the plans would also see the area “transformed” into a mixed-use development with ​over 1,000 homes.

CIÉ says the proposal aims to be a form of transport-orientated development – urban development that seeks to maximise the provision of housing, employment, public services and leisure space within close proximity to transport nodes.

The plans provide for a “minimal amount of private car-parking in the short to medium term” and look to “facilitate the longer-term adaptation to a car-free environment”.

Other key features of the proposals include the development of commercial, residential, retail and leisure units; the construction of two bridges across the River Liffey for cyclists and pedestrians; and the introduction of 5,000 new bike parking spaces.

The plans also include the establishment of a new Dart Station at Heuston West to bring Dart services to outer suburban communities and onwards through the Phoenix Park tunnel and the opening up of 1km of river frontage and cycle lanes to interlink Phoenix Park and the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

“The masterplan reflects our global need to get out of cars and onto buses, trains, light rail, bikes and other modes of active transport,” CIÉ said in a statement.

“Heuston will be transformed into a dynamic new destination for living, working and leisure.”

Ryan, meanwhile, said the idea behind the plan was to transform Dublin for the better in terms of living and generally getting around.

“The idea is to use this land for development, for housing, 1,000 units done in new innovative financing models to help make our city affordable and doing it like one of those continental cities where you don’t have to have a car,” he said.

It is expected the plans will take up to 15 years to complete.

For more details, visit CIÉ’s website here.

Main image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

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