The Minister for Transport has confirmed that work on Dublin’s Metro North will start in 2021 – with the service due to be up and running six years later.
Yesterday the government announced a €7.5bn investment programme which includes the long awaited Metro North project, linking Swords and Dublin city centre.
Video: HKR Architects
Around €680m will also be spent on rail infrastructure, allowing the Luas and Dart to expand.
The plan also includes a €750m overhaul of the capitals bus network – with €110 to be spent on walking and cycling facilities in cities around the country.
Over €4bn will also be spent on roads and removing bottlenecks.
On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe defended his decision to green-light the investment package:
“If we don’t have a transport link to there, the potential to build homes; the potential to develop DCU for example will be capped,” he said.
“The planning permission will not be delivered because the capacity will not be there to get people n and out of their homes and in and out of work.”
Image: NationalTransport.ie
Announcing the overall plan, Transport Minister Shane Ross said it marked the “most climate friendly” transport investment programme ever.
He said his top priority is to rapidly increase investment in public transport.
Metro North was first proposed back in 2001 – however the plan was shelved following the economic crash.
