Big pity to see the Navan Rail line and the western rail corridor axed though. Not a great day for the west or the extended commuter belt in term of near term infrastructure.

Now this is not strictly planning related but i do have a problem with this plan. Its all about the building of the hard stuff, they are rejoicing on the news with the prospect of job creation and they are bandying around words like ‘sustainable jobs’, this presents jobs for a number of years and a very small portion after the projects have been built and where are we left then? Back to square one with all the construction workers with no big projects to build!

Still though I am so happy to see metro north given the go ahead, as i stand to benefit from it the most if i’m still living here when its finished that is.

The Government has announced a new €39 billion capital investment plan until 2016 that prioritises major projects such as Metro North, the Dart interconnector and the new DIT campus in Grangegorman but will result in delays for other promised infrastructure projects.

The new seven-year plan was unveiled at a press conference this afternoon by the Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Green Party leader, the Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

Leaflet - Capital Expenditure Review

The overall budget for the programme of €39 billion compares to €75 billion for capital spending announced in the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013

Admitting that the economic downturn had led to a significant trimming of the sails as regards spending on capital projects, Mr Cowen pointed out that the Government was getting at least 30 per cent more value for money on capital projects.

He also said that in light of the recession and the changed political landscapes, a different programme was now needed. “We are identifying the priorities that will contribute to economic recovery,” he said, adding that the Government no longer had the money to do the all the work envisaged in the National Development Plan.

However, a number of major projects will go ahead as planned, if not quite to the timetable originally envisaged. They include the Metro North underground railway as well as the new underground Dublin interconnector that will link all the different rail systems in Dublin city centre.

The major plan to bring all the colleges of the Dublin Institute of Technology together in once campus at Grangegorman will still go ahead.

However, a number of other major projects will be long-fingered or modified. They include the Western Rail Corridor, the new prison at Thornton Hall in North Dublin and some of the medium-term road projects.

Mr Cowen said that all the major motorway routes will be completed this year on time and on budget and thereafter, the emphasis will be towards improving public transport, in Dublin and other urban centres.

The programme envisages that some 270,000 jobs will be created directly or indirectly from the investment. Mr Lenihan said this would constitute Ireland’s stimulus programme.

Investment in the programme amounts to 5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product as compared to a 2.9 per cent average in OECD countries.

The Taoiseach said he was not going to attempt to specify exactly how many jobs might be created under the programme.

“We are not running a Stalinist economy here. We do not set it out in those terms,” he said. Mr Lenihan said the programme was “a hard-headed and realistic look at what should be our priorities”.

“This has been considered in great detail in a number of Government meetings since Spring,” he said. He also confirmed that €1 billion of the €3 billion cuts in next December’s Budget would come from the capital Budget.

He said that there had been a lot of speculation in recent days about taxes and new charges being imposed in the Budget. He said that the Government’s main focus was controlling its spending and that no decisions on taxes would be taken until well into the autumn.

“Public debate on tax is entirely premature,” he said. In terms of departmental allocations, the departments that will lose funding compared to the NDP are: Transport (for roads’ budgets); Environment (for housing), Health; and Education.

Both Mr Cowen and Mr Lenihan accepted that about 5 to 7 per cent of school buildings would be of a temporary nature.

But Mr Lenihan also pointed out that the ‘modular-type’ structures being used for schools were a vast improvement and could not be compared with traditional pre-fabricated structures.

The reduction in the budget for social housing in the programme is significant. It also reflects a change of emphasis from the State purchasing housing stock, to leasing houses and apartments, as well as initiating rental accommodation schemes.

Mr Gormley said the budget would be €4.3 billion. Department officials later confirmed that the State would look at vacant housing stock and estates with a view to leasing property for tenants.

Asked why the houses would not be purchased, a Department of Finance spokesman said the State did not have the money to buy houses upfront and to pay the borrowing costs.

Irish Times

Related posts:

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3. New East Wall site for launch of Dart tunnelling machine

BUSINESS LEADERS in the southeast have described as “reckless foolishness” the planned closure of the Rosslare to Waterford railway line, linking two of the country’s principal ports.

The service, which had been due to close permanently from tomorrow, has received a temporary reprieve as various State bodies argue over its future.

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that its plan to “suspend” trains from July 21st and launch a replacement Bus Éireann service will not be implemented as scheduled. The closure of the line cannot proceed without the approval of the National Transport Authority, which is not now expected to announce its decision until “at least” September.

The railway line has been operating since 1906, but has suffered a decline in use in recent years and now offers just one train a day in each direction, with no Sunday service. Iarnród Éireann says the line is no longer economically viable, and attracts a daily average of only 25 passengers.

But South East Chambers, an “umbrella body” representing chambers of commerce in Carlow, Clonmel, Dungarvan, Enniscorthy, Gorey, Kilkenny, New Ross, Waterford and Wexford have said the planned closure was “not acceptable”, and the decision had been made in “an ivory tower in Dublin”.

In an “open letter”, the chambers accused Iarnród Éireann of running down and ignoring the Rosslare-Waterford line, and said a replacement bus service would “fly in the face of Ireland’s commitment to the Kyoto protocol to reduce carbon emissions”.

They pointed out “the great success of the Dart and Luas” proved that “properly managed rail transport attracts a greater volume of passengers than buses”.

The letter also berated Iarnród Éireann for having “closed down railway lines with great enthusiasm”, including the “beloved Waterford to Tramore line, which was actually showing a profit”.

Tanya Fenelon, chair of Save the Railway Group, said the line had a future if Iarnród Éireann carried more freight to Belview (Waterford) and Rosslare ports; improved the timetable to connect with other lines, and expanded the service by running three trains a day, instead of just one.

She contrasted poor service in Rosslare with that “on the Welsh side at Fishguard, where dedicated ‘boat trains’ link immediately with London-bound high-speed trains at Swansea and Cardiff”.

Ms Fenelon said “during the recent airspace closure, the Waterford-Rosslare train was standing room only – testimony to the line’s strategic economic importance as an integral part of this State’s southern sea-rail access corridor”.

Opposing replacement buses, she claimed “the train is a much cheaper alternative at present than travelling by bus”, explaining “the Bus Éireann fare is nearly twice as expensive as the train: an adult return ticket from Rosslare Harbour to Waterford is €20.50 while a rail ticket is €10.50”.

On Iarnród Éireann’s claim that the line is losing money, she said last Saturday evening she “counted 43 passengers boarding at Waterford” but “there was no ticket checker on board”.

IrishTimes

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INCHICORE RESIDENTS have given a guarded welcome to a decision to drop plans to assemble and launch a tunnel boring machine for Dart Underground on a sports field in the historic Railway Estate.

According to an application for a Railway Order lodged with An Bord Pleanála yesterday, tunnelling for Dart Underground is now to take place from east to west, with the tunnel boring machine launch site now located at East Wall near Docklands station.

In addition, the Inchicore portal has been moved several hundred yards away from houses and is now to be located within the CIÉ engineering yards. Houses in the Railway Estate date from the mid-1800s and were built for railway workers, including those working in the yards.

The changes mean Dart Underground is set to have a much lower impact on the community of about 700 people in the Railway Estate. While an area of green space will be required for an “intercession and vent shaft” from the tunnel, Iarnród Eireann said yesterday this would be small and not located on the playing pitch.

The Railway Order is the rail equivalent of planning permission and if approved the €2.5 billion project will deliver a high-capacity rail line through the city centre.

The line is 8.6km, 7.6km of which will be in twin-bore tunnels. The tunnels will connect the Northern and Kildare rail lines with underground stations at Spencer Dock, Pearse Station, St Stephen’s Green, Christchurch and Heuston Station, as well as a surface Dart station at Inchicore.

Frequency and capacity on the Dart Northern, Maynooth and Kildare lines will be increased, while the Dart will be extended to Maynooth, Hazelhatch/Celbridge and the Northern line, with Pearse Station acting as a central hub connecting all lines.

Separately yesterday, the chief executive of the National Roads Authority (NRA), Fred Barry, defended its policy of charging taxis to use the Dublin Port Tunnel.

Mr Barry yesterday told the Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the tunnel was just paying its operating costs through toll revenue, and if taxis were allowed to use the tunnel free then taxi drivers may want free passage extended to the rest of the State’s toll roads, bridges and tunnels.

Mr Barry agreed to refer the issue to the NRA board after the chairman of the committee, Frank Fahey, appealed to him to consider it as a way of reducing congestion in the city.

Irish Times – Tim O’Brien

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Tram on O'Connell Bridge

It’s a great day because finally the clock can start ticking down to the realisation of many years of dreaming and wishing by the citizens of Dublin for the trams that once crossed the Liffey to be finally reinstated! We are one step closer to actually having a piece of a viable rail system in the capital, one where the rail nodes actually will join up from day one! That’s right I’m talking about the possibility of being able to get a Luas or a Dart or a Metro all from the same station, all going different places!

More than likely based on previous strategic infrastructure applications for railway orders, the three projects could be with An Bord Pleanala, accounting for further information request and oral hearings at least 12 months if not longer.

DART Underground

My worry is that there will be no coordinated approach regarding the construction of the three projects that’s; Metro North, LUAS line BXD and DART interconnector, even though two of the projects will be pursued by the same agency.  As far as I know combined they will take something like 6 years to complete all the projects with a layoff in the works for the first 6 months of 2016 for the Rising celebrations.

I have one other gripe for the construction is the probability that the pond in St Stephens green will be drained for the duration of the construction works for the stations at St Stephens Green.

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THE PROMOTERS of a new seaplane service for the west of Ireland were yesterday victorious in their plans to locate a seaplane base on Lough Derg.

Clare County Council yesterday granted planning permission to Harbour Flights Ireland Ltd for a base at Mountshannon. The decision comes in spite of opposition by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, fishermen and residents.

As part of the plan the company has lodged four applications before local authorities in Galway, Limerick and Clare to allow it land a seaplane in Lough Derg, the Shannon at Limerick city, Galway city docks and the main harbour serving Inis Mór.

The director of Harbour Flights Ireland Ltd, Ronan Connolly, yesterday welcomed the council’s decision. “After the test flights that we held I believe that the local people are now behind us on the project.”

He said the objections in the planning process had delayed the plan by six to nine months, and it may not be until next year before scheduled services begin.

He said the company had applied for an aircraft operating certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority, adding that he hoped there would be a decision on that in the next two months.

The council gave the plan the go-ahead having regard to its nature and scale, and that it would not seriously injure amenities or property in the area.

A company report said there would be no significant impacts on local birds and none on fish.

In an objection by the fisheries board, its chief executive, Eamon Cusack, said “we consider that the presence of birds and the use of airplanes in the area could create a dangerous situation whereby an air accident could arise”.

“The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board is seriously concerned that this development will impact negatively on the fishery and on angling in Lough Derg. The area in this lake is particularly important to trout, pike and other coarse angling.”

IrishTimes

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The Pedal Project: Three Cycling Cities – From Dublin to London to Amsterdam from DCTV on Vimeo.

In London where they are currently building there cycle culture, however it is not there yet. Ciaran visited hackey in east london where cycling currently accounts for 19% of all trips in the area. Of note from Amsterdamn are the fact that there transport policy includes cycling in its hierarchy, which is as follows:

1. Public Transport (Trams, Buses and Taxis)
2. Cyclists and Pedestrians
3. Private Transport (Car’s)

According to the founder of amsterdamize.com, a great website which celebrates Dutch cycling culture, the “worst way to promote cycling is by saying its green”. I have to agree with this strongly in that, making people feel like a bad person for not choosing to use the bike is a very bad way to encourage people to take it up.

One final thing, 40% of people in Dublin live within 5km of there place of work – thats two fifths of the city! I know Dublin is hilly and not as nice to cycle around as Amsterdam, but we have the potential to make a big dent in the model share and to get cycling back to being a big thing in Dublin. Remember you dont have to look like a tit with all your cycling gear! To leave you with the amsterdamize slogan:

“100% Lycra-Free, Guaranteed”

I wish Ciaran Nolan the best of luck in pushing this agenda in Dublin, all we need is some political support!

There is a website: www.dublincitycycling.ie/

Colin

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TRAFFIC CONGESTION in Wicklow town is set to be reduced significantly following the opening yesterday of two new roads which will divert port-bound lorries from the town centre.

The 2.7 kilometre (1.8 miles) town relief road and the 1.6 kilometre port access road cost €65 million.

They involved the construction of a 130-metre (425ft) three-span bridge crossing the Broadlough estuary at the Murrough, another bridge crossing the Ashtown Stream, and two new railway bridges, at the Murrough and in Merrymeeting, Rathnew.

The new roads have been built to provide improved access and alternative routes into and around Wicklow town and to divert heavy port traffic from the town centre.

They are also intended to open lands for development around the town and port, pending a recovery of the economy, and to improve access to industrial lands in the port.

At the official opening yesterday, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the people of Wicklow would benefit enormously from the roads through the reduction in town centre traffic.

They would also benefit because the roads themselves catered for vulnerable road users by providing footpaths, a cycleway and controlled crossing points at major junctions.

“This will encourage people to avail of a fast, healthy and environmentally friendly alternative to taking the car,” Mr Dempsey added.

“It will also contribute to safer journeys for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike, and is another step towards a sustainable transport future for Ireland.”

The town relief road links Ashtown Lane and Marlton Road with the Rathnew road, while the port access road runs from the Rathnew road towards the Murrough to link up with Leitrim Place.

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Pat Vance said an unexpected bonus was that the roads had opened up a vista of countryside and coast that would not previously have been visible to the road user.

IrishTimes

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THE RAILWAY Procurement Agency (RPA) plans to change the route of the proposed Lucan Luas line, but said it does not intend to reopen public consultation on the project.

Plans for the line, which would run from Lucan in west Dublin to the city centre, were originally put out to public consultation in late 2007. The RPA received a record 2,300 submissions from the public, greater than the response for the entire Metro North project.

The preferred route which emerged from this process was announced in October 2008. From College Green in the city centre, the 15km “Line F” would head west along Dame Street to Christchurch before joining the existing Red Line at Fatima. It would then continue along the Grand Canal before turning right on Kylemore Road and heading towards Ballyfermot and out of the city towards Lucan.

In a letter sent to residents in Inchicore, the RPA said it now plans to change the route so that the Luas line could link up with the proposed final stop of the Dart Underground line.

In the letter, the RPA said that at the time the original Lucan Luas selection process took place, the Dart Underground route was to end at Heuston Station. Iarnród Éireann subsequently decided to extend the line to Inchicore.

The RPA and Iarnród Éireann have been working for a number of months to identify a way to provide a “viable interchange” between the two lines, the letter said. The proposed solution involves taking the line away from the canal and routing it through industrial lands east of Inchicore Village to meet the planned Dart station.

A spokesman for the RPA said two information meetings would be held this week – at Liffey Gaels GAA Club, Ballyfermot, from 6pm to 9pm tonight, and at the Oblate Hall, Inchicore, at the same time tomorrow.

The RPA intends to seek a Railway Order, planning permission to construct the line, from An Bord Pleanála next year. When the preferred route was announced in October 2008, the RPA said it would seek a Railway Order in 2010.

The spokesman said there would “not be any significant delay” in development as a result of the route change. No date for its construction has been set.

Inchicore on Track, a residents’ group which had been critical of a lack of consultation from Iarnród Éireann in relation to the site of the Dart Underground station, said it wanted public consultation on the route change.

“This route change might be a no-brainer, and it seems logical, but what if we don’t agree with it?” asked group representative John Beck.

IrishTimes

View more about this LUAS project on the RPA website:  http://www.rpa.ie/en/projects/luas_lucan/Pages/default.aspx

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Network Direct Phase 1

DUBLIN BUS yesterday announced its reorganised bus routes and timetables.

Changes to routes and services will be introduced in five phases from July.

They will take place at two to three-month intervals and will focus on areas as opposed to single routes. The first areas to be affected will be Stillorgan, Blanchardstown and Lucan.

From the outset, however, the effects will be felt over the entire network.

Changes in the Stillorgan area will affect the 39a, 46a, 47, 63, 84, 145 and 746. Two core routes, the 46a and 145 will have frequencies of 10 minutes or better.

The company said the 145 will offer a high-frequency connection to Heuston Station.

The 46A will offer a high-frequency connection to the northeast of the city serving the Mater hospital and Phoenix Park.

The 47 will travel from Sandyford to the city centre via Ballsbridge.

Some services have been made more direct. These include the 46A, which will take the Kill Avenue/Kill Lane QBC through Deansgrange with journey time savings of approximately 10 minutes to Dún Laoghaire, Stillorgan, Donnybrook and the city centre.

The 145 is to operate through Bray main street offering a time saving of approximately 10 minutes, according to the company.

Some of the changes are extensive and the 84 – excluding express services – will no longer go from Newcastle to Dublin city centre but will run between Newcastle and Cherrywood, where it is intended to link in with the Luas.

However, the Luas line is not due to open until the end of the year.

The service to and from Bray and Greystones Dart stations will also be improved.

In the Lucan/north Kildare area the changes will affect the 25, 25a, 25b, 26, 66, 66a, 66b and 67. Two core routes, the 25a, and 25b will have peak frequencies of 10 minutes or better. The proposed 25a and 25b will replace the 25x service.

The 25a will follow its current route to Palmerstown and then operate via Chapelizod bypass to Wilton Terrace and Leeson Street.

The 25b will follow the current 25x route from Adamstown via Griffeen using the Chapelizod bypass to Wilton Terrace. The 25x from Dodsboro will remain the same.

In the Blanchardstown area there will be changes to the 17a, 37, 38, 38a, 39, 39a, 70, 270 and 236.

Phase two will involve Ballymun, Finglas and Clontarf.

Phase three will involve Tallaght, Templeogue, and Malahide

Phase four will include Glasnevin, Drimnagh, Ranelagh, and Swords, while phase five involves Merrion Road and Howth Road.

Details of phase one are available on the Dublin Bus website www.dublinbus.ie

IrishTimes

Find out about the Dublin Bus Network 21 Plan on the website at: www.dublinbus.ie/en/Network-Direct/

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