New metro linking Dublin city centre, the Airport and Swords – Farrell

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has said that the announcement of a new metro link between Dublin city centre, the Airport and Swords under today’s €27bn Capital Investment Plan is great news.

“Under this Capital Plan, there will be significant investment in public transport in Dublin to meet growing commuter needs and help reduce traffic congestion. Investment will be provided for the beginning of construction of Metro Swords in 2021. It’s hoped that it will be operational around 2026. The major transport link is great news and will improve competitiveness, as well as helping economic growth and quality of life in Dublin.

“The Capital Investment Plan will also see the completion of Luas Cross City. Funding will be provided for the upgrading of Quality Bus Corridors on core bus routes to improve journey times and with a view to progressing to Bus Rapid Transit status over time on a small number of key routes.
“Also in Dublin, there’s funding for the final phase of the City Centre resignalling programme, opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel and construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for commuter and intercity rail. And there will be investment for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan.
“This Plan will facilitate a major upgrade to the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area so that it has the capacity to meet growing demand.

“The Plan announced by Government is affordable, sensible and it is consistent with our plan to eliminate borrowing by 2018. It will promote regional economic growth, supporting 45,000 construction jobs over the lifetime of the plan.

“The decisions taken by this Government have brought us to an important time in our recovery. We are the fastest growing economy in Europe and we are creating over 1,300 new jobs a week. This plan will help spread the recovery around the country where we know many families have yet to feel the effects of the recovery.

“This is a good day for Dublin and very welcome news for people across the city and county.”