Future DART link to airport proposed
PROJECT IS ' HIGH PRIORITY' FOR RAIL CHIEFS
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A FUTURE DART connection could be constructed at Dublin Airport should a proposal from Iarnród Éireann ( IÉ) be included in the new Fingal County Development Plan. The company has included a submission to allow the development of a DART rail spur from the recently-opened Clongriffin station, on the county's southern border, to the airport.
According to IÉ, the project is a ' high priority' for its inclusion in the National Transport Authority's updated strategy for the greater Dublin area and could be built in addition to the Metro North line.
' We strongly recommend that the adopted Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017 provides for the protection of a future public transport corridor from Clongriffin to Dublin Airport to facilitate this proposed important future rail link,' the company's submission read.
' This is not being proposed as an alternative to Metro North. Rather it is being proposed as a complementary measure and one that will provide the easiest and most efficient rail access to the airport from the wider rail network. ' A DART link from Clongriffin to the airport is highly compatible with the wider planning context at a national, regional and local level. IÉ is anxious to see further expansion and integration across the rail network.' The railway company referred to a policy of the Dublin Airport Masterplan, prepared by Fingal County Council, which advocated a number of high-quality transport links to the airport and said the proposed line would be highly compatible within the wider planning context at a national, regional and local level.
' Internationally, many cities with major airports have benefited greatly from connecting rail spurs off main branch/ regional lines in a cost-effective and operationally efficient way,' the submission went on. ' Dublin Airport is very well positioned to also capitalise on this potential.
' The National Spatial Strategy asserts that expanding the level of services available from Dublin Airport to an even wider range of destinations is essential in the interest of underpinning Ireland's future international competitiveness.
' A commitment by Fingal County Council to the preservation of a rail corridor from Clongriffin to Dublin Airport is a high priority in the adopted Development Plan for Fingal 2011-2017.
' It is therefore critical that IÉ is included in any future discussions or partnership forums in relation to access to Dublin Airport and we would very much welcome the opportunity to discuss our proposals further with Fingal County Council and the DAA.'
- Robin KIELY
