PLANNING approval has been granted for the construction of a MetroLink service connecting Dublin Airport to the centre of the Irish capital.
Proposals submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála, Ireland’s planning commission, have now been approved, with a directive granting persmission to construct the new railway published today.
“Today’s planning news is a hugely positive step for MetroLink, which is a key strategic project for the Government and Ireland,” Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said.
“MetroLink will be transformative for the people of North Dublin and - by linking directly with Dublin airport, DART, heavy rail, Luas and bus services - the entire country,” he added.
Plans for the MetroLink service in Dublin have received planning approval“MetroLink will provide a fast, high capacity, high frequency public transport route, and it will enable the construction of tens of thousands of new homes."
The MetroLink plan will see a new 18.8km railway line created in Dublin - most of which will be underground - linking Charlemont to the Swords Estuary via Dublin Airport and the city centre.
First raised in 2000, the project was shelved due to the economic crash.
In a statement the planning board confirmed that the “Commission decided to grant permission generally in accordance with the Inspector’s recommendation, subject to conditions”.
They added: “The Commission considers that the proposed Metrolink development enjoys very strong support at national, regional and local levels in terms of planning, transport and climate policy.”
The MetroLink system will link Charlemont to the Swords Estuary via Dublin Airport and the city centreLast month the team behind the project shared their vision among industry peers in London.
Minister O'Brien gave the opening address at a major MetroLink Market Engagement event held at the Institution of Civil Engineers on September 8, which featured stakeholders seeking to partner with the project.
Martin Fraser, the Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom also attended the event, which featured an address British Minister for Rail Lord Peter Hendy.
The MetroLink team continued to engage with prospective partners across key European cities in September, hosting events in Paris, Berlin, Milan, Vienna, Madrid and Instanbul.
When constructed MetroLink will be Ireland’s first metro programme.
It will be delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Construction is set to take around nice years to complete, following receipt of the Railway Order issued today (October 2).
“This innovative and vital programme is a cornerstone of Ireland’s climate and mobility goals, supporting economic growth as well as urban connectivity and renewal,” a MetroLink spokesperson said.
“It will offer new business opportunities for a wide range of organisations, from large international firms to locally based Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs).”
Construction of the new railway system is expected to take nine years to completeThey added: “MetroLink will also support some 8,000 direct construction jobs, as well as a further 2,500 to 3,000 indirect supply chain and support related jobs each year.”
Once open, the MetroLink sytem is set to include 15 stations, running from north of Swords at Estuary through Swords, Dublin Airport, Ballymun, Glasnevin and the city centre to Charlemont in the south of Dublin City Centre.
A large portion of the route, roughly 11.7km, will be underground, including those sections running under the city centre area and at Dublin Airport, the MetroLink spokesperson confirmed.
Once operational, the MetroLink journey from Swords to Dublin city centre will be approximately 25 minutes.
See More: Approval, Dublin, Dublin Airport, MetroLink
