SWORDS residents, groups and business have been urged to join a new campaign launched last week in an effort to ensure the delivery of Metro North.

Socialist Party TD, Clare Daly, initiated the 'Yes To Metro' push at a public meeting in the town and has appealed to all interested parties to get involved.

'This is the only shovel-ready transport project, with planning completed, millions already spent on it and the only project with funding in place,' Deputy Daly said.

A second public meeting will take place this Wednesday at 8pm in the Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords, which residents have been asked to support.

'The Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) have been invited to make a presentation on the status of the project,' Deputy Daly added.

Meanwhile, a former Fingal County Council planner has warned there is 'no way' Metro will be built, given the lack of funds and skewed projected population figures. A FORMER Fingal County Council planner has warned there is 'no way' Metro North will be built, in the week a local campaign to have the rail line delivered was launched.

The official, who no longer works for the local authority, said the attitude of Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar, towards Metro emphasised the fact the project is doomed.

'There is no way Metro is going to be built,' he said. ' The Metro was designed with projected growth figures. Those figures are not going to be reached now and the money isn't there.' Those comments come in the week a Swords-based TD launched a 'Yes To Metro' campaign following a public meeting in the town last week. Deputy Clare Daly (SP) issued a communitywide invitation to get involved in the drive and has written to the National Transport Authority arguing in its favour.

' The meeting agreed to set up 'Yes To Metro North', a campaign for every Swords resident, community group, commuter or business to get involved in to make sure that construction on Metro is commenced as a critical infrastructure project that can transform the quality of life for Swords residents and positively contribute to much-needed economic development and job creation,' Deputy Daly said.

'This is the only shovel-ready transport project, with planning completed, millions already spent on it and the only project with funding in place.'

A second public meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 1st at 8pm in the Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords, where residents have been asked for their support.

'The Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) have been invited to make a presentation on the status of the project,' Deputy Daly added. ' The National Transport Authority have been written to in order to express the concerns of the community that this project must go ahead and an online petition and Facebook page for the campaign have been launched.' RPA spokesperson, Tom Manning, said the organisation would be providing an update on where things stand as the wait for a resolution to the process continues. 'A comprehensive spending review is taking place across all departments and we totally support that,' Mr Manning said. 'He (Minister Varadkar) has said he will make his own decision about what project or projects will go ahead.'

- Robin KIELY