Dublin Area Transport Strategy ‘put on the never never’

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has expressed his huge disappointment at the publication of the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, saying that the delays to the delivery of the strategy and cancellation of several projects altogether show that this Government with their Green partners are not serious about the delivery of a 21st century public transport for Dublin and it’s hard pressed commuters.
 
Teachta Crowe said: “After the hype surrounding the announcement of the new Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, I have to say that I am deeply disappointed by what we have heard is actually on offer. “The MetroLink and Luas connections to Lucan, Bray, and Poolbeg are all stalled for at least another ten years. The DART Underground, a project originally considered in the 1972 ‘Transportation in Dublin Study’, has been shelved altogether, but just might be revisited after 2042, a mere 70 years later.
 
“There are no new transport solutions for Dublin South West, bar a few bus corridors that we were getting from Bus Connects in any case.  The routes into the city that are currently gridlocked with traffic will stay that way, while the desperately needed new rail and tram connections to provide quality transport options for people are put on the ‘never never’. “And to cap it off, there will be no additions to the Red Line Luas until after 2042.
 
“That is simply unacceptable. How are people supposed to reduce their carbon emissions and help Ireland reach its climate targets when we cancel or introduce long delays that will effectively shelve every major public transport project in this state? “Ordinary citizens can only do so much and will be stuck paying carbon tax on fuel while the Government refuses to invest in public transport. I for one find that totally irresponsible and unacceptable.
 
“The Government and their Green partners have fallen asleep at the wheel, missing a huge opportunity to invest in major projects that would deliver significant environmental, social, and economic benefits over the next few decades. This hollowed out transport announcement will do nothing for commuters stuck in traffic, do nothing for our climate, and certainly do nothing to convince anyone that this government can deliver positive change.”