20 locals and a business in Ranelagh have lodged a request for a judicial review against the construction of the MetroLink in their area, with the case due to be heard on 1st December. 

The residents have argued that the nearby streets are already small and congested, raising concerns about the scale of construction in their neighbourhood.

On Lunchtime Live, guest host Anna Daly spoke to Dublin representatives, as well as listeners, about the implications of the project.

Labour Party Fingal East TD Duncan Smith expressed disappointment about the judicial review:

“I’m very disappointed that they’ve gone in. They’re going to cause undue delay to a transformational project that is needed throughout Dublin."

It will be an inconvenience, because we’re building a much-needed transformational project that’s going to tackle the congestion that we have.”

MetroLink complaints

The TD urged the locals in Ranelagh to reconsider their decision to lodge the legal complaint on behalf of the people of Dublin.

"I would ask and request and plea that the people who put in this judicial review, in the interest of Dublin, would withdraw it,” he said. 

“This is going to cause a delay, and it’s going to add cost, and that cost will be met by the public purse, by taxpayers.”

Dee, a Dubliner on the line, also felt as though this 2035 project was necessary to go ahead:

“With the amount of congestion in the city centre this last week, there’s been constant complaints on social media about disruptions," she told the show.

"Something like the MetroLink is long overdue.”

Joe O’Reilly joined the call and defended the residents in the area, noting how significant in scale the project will be:

“It’s going to be a huge disruption to Dartmouth Square. People don’t understand the magnitude of this project."

"€9.5 billion, and you don’t think that’s going to interfere with the running of Ranelagh?" said the Dublin native.

“Of course it will, small little narrow streets, trucks, building work going up and down, why shouldn’t they be concerned?” he added.

Hazel Chu, Green Party Spokesperson for Public Expenditure and Dublin City Councillor, living in Ranelagh, understood local concerns.

“They have every right to take a judicial review."

However, the Green Party representative urged that the government needs to clearly communicate the importance of these large scale projects.

“It’s up to the government to emphasise how important these public infrastructure projects are. It’s disheartening that it’s been so long in the making."

"For my part and a lot of Dubliners, the question is what the government is going to do to make sure this project goes ahead,” she added.

Written by Annemarie Roberts