Menu
23/09/2015
DART Underground Proposal 'Will Not Proceed As Designed' - Donohoe
The proposed DART Underground project will not proceed as currently designed, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe has announced.
The National Transport Authority (NTA), whose statutory remit covers the planning of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, was requested to review the Dart Underground project in conjunction with the updating of the long term transport strategy for the GDA region. Based on the outcome of the updated business case, the NTA recommended that the project, which remains a key element of integrated transport for the Greater Dublin Area, be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity.
The Minister endorses the NTA recommendations and intends to provide funding in the new Capital Plan to progress redesign and planning for the revised project. The Minister also intends to provide funding for other elements of the overall DART Expansion Programme, including, in particular, electrification of the Northern line to extend the DART to Balbriggan and works to increase frequency of existing services.
Minister Donohoe said: "As Government works to further stabilize the public finances, we must continue to seek the best value for taxpayers' money in everything we do. A project of such magnitude - in the order of €4 billion - has to be designed and delivered in a way that best ensures cost effectiveness for the taxpayer and the State.
"The overall DART Expansion Programme has a key role to play in delivering an efficient transport system and I intend to progress key elements of the overall Programme but the NTA's recommendations that the tunnel element can be delivered at a reduced cost to the taxpayer have to be accepted.
"That is why I informed Government today that I endorsed the NTA's recommendation and secured its approval for the tunnel element of the project to be redesigned. I will seek, within the resources available in the next Capital Plan, to provide funds to progress the redesign and planning of the project.
"In the interest of advancing the development of our rail network so that it better meets the needs of commuters, I also informed Government that I intend to progress elements of the overall DART Expansion Programme which bring value in themselves, subject to appropriate business cases and the availability of funding."
(MH/LM)
The National Transport Authority (NTA), whose statutory remit covers the planning of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, was requested to review the Dart Underground project in conjunction with the updating of the long term transport strategy for the GDA region. Based on the outcome of the updated business case, the NTA recommended that the project, which remains a key element of integrated transport for the Greater Dublin Area, be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity.
The Minister endorses the NTA recommendations and intends to provide funding in the new Capital Plan to progress redesign and planning for the revised project. The Minister also intends to provide funding for other elements of the overall DART Expansion Programme, including, in particular, electrification of the Northern line to extend the DART to Balbriggan and works to increase frequency of existing services.
Minister Donohoe said: "As Government works to further stabilize the public finances, we must continue to seek the best value for taxpayers' money in everything we do. A project of such magnitude - in the order of €4 billion - has to be designed and delivered in a way that best ensures cost effectiveness for the taxpayer and the State.
"The overall DART Expansion Programme has a key role to play in delivering an efficient transport system and I intend to progress key elements of the overall Programme but the NTA's recommendations that the tunnel element can be delivered at a reduced cost to the taxpayer have to be accepted.
"That is why I informed Government today that I endorsed the NTA's recommendation and secured its approval for the tunnel element of the project to be redesigned. I will seek, within the resources available in the next Capital Plan, to provide funds to progress the redesign and planning of the project.
"In the interest of advancing the development of our rail network so that it better meets the needs of commuters, I also informed Government that I intend to progress elements of the overall DART Expansion Programme which bring value in themselves, subject to appropriate business cases and the availability of funding."
(MH/LM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 December 2011
Shelved Dart Plan Wins Planning Approval
The proposed Dart Underground project, which was controversially shelved by the Government earlier this month, has won planning permission from Dublin authorities. The Dart Underground was planned to run from Docklands to Inchicore, and increase the capacity of the Greater Dublin area's rail service to 100 million passenger journeys per annum.
Shelved Dart Plan Wins Planning Approval
The proposed Dart Underground project, which was controversially shelved by the Government earlier this month, has won planning permission from Dublin authorities. The Dart Underground was planned to run from Docklands to Inchicore, and increase the capacity of the Greater Dublin area's rail service to 100 million passenger journeys per annum.
20 July 2015
FF Calls For Dedicated Garda Transport Unit
Fianna Fáil is calling for a dedicated Garda Transport Unit following the disturbance to DART services caused by a brawl on the train on Sunday evening. A row broke out on a northbound train at Salthill and Monkstown stations, causing DART services to be suspended for over 40 minutes.
FF Calls For Dedicated Garda Transport Unit
Fianna Fáil is calling for a dedicated Garda Transport Unit following the disturbance to DART services caused by a brawl on the train on Sunday evening. A row broke out on a northbound train at Salthill and Monkstown stations, causing DART services to be suspended for over 40 minutes.
15 October 2013
Full DART Service Resumes After Major Disruptions
Following driver action in an ongoing dispute, which caused over-crowding and major disruptions yesterday, Iarnród Éireann operated a full DART service today. Drivers had refused to carry out so-called "coupling checks", which are required when more than two carriages are joined together.
Full DART Service Resumes After Major Disruptions
Following driver action in an ongoing dispute, which caused over-crowding and major disruptions yesterday, Iarnród Éireann operated a full DART service today. Drivers had refused to carry out so-called "coupling checks", which are required when more than two carriages are joined together.
26 August 2015
Govt Urged To Include DART Construction In Next Round Of Capitol Funding
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohue has been urged to include the construction of the DART Underground as part of the government's next round of capital project funding.
Govt Urged To Include DART Construction In Next Round Of Capitol Funding
Minister for Transport Paschal Donohue has been urged to include the construction of the DART Underground as part of the government's next round of capital project funding.
11 November 2011
Dart Delay 'Body Blow' For Ballymun – FF
A Fianna Fáil Councillor has described the three-year delay to the development of the Dart and Metro North services as a "body blow" for North Dublin.
Dart Delay 'Body Blow' For Ballymun – FF
A Fianna Fáil Councillor has described the three-year delay to the development of the Dart and Metro North services as a "body blow" for North Dublin.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
