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THE CONSTRUCTION OF one of the new stations for the Metrolink would close a section of the Royal Canal’s cycling Greenway for up to three years.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign has hit out at plans by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to close part of the Greenway in Phibsborough to facilitate the construction of the new Glasnevin station.
The station will be located near Cross Guns Bridge, and is considered by the NTA to be a “key station” on the line because it will be situated at a point between the Phoenix Park Tunnel line and the Maynooth line.
It is planned that the station will provide an interchange for passengers using both lines, which comprise the north-western line from Sligo/Maynooth to Dublin, and the southwestern commuter line from Newbridge/ Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock.
No interchange between the two lines, which respectively serve Dublin’s Connolly and Heuston stations, currently exists, meaning there is no rail link between trains serving the northern and southern halves of Ireland.
But the Dublin Cycling Campaign has claimed that the temporary closure of the Greenway at the Royal Canal would be counterproductive because it would create a barrier for people looking for an alternative to travelling into Dublin by car.
The Greenway, which is still under construction, aims to provide a “first-class multi-purpose off-road walking and cycling link” from the River Liffey to the Shannon in Longford.
However, the 2.25km section of the Greenway at Cross Guns Bridge to Broombridge in Cabra, which would be affected by the construction of the station, has not yet been completed.
‘Vital corridor’
The Dublin Cycling Campaign says that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the state agency designing the MetroLink, has not proposed any alternative arrangements for pedestrians and cyclists during the construction of the station.
“The Royal Canal Greenway is one of the few safe and traffic free cycle routes in the city,” said Paul Corcoran, the group’s chairperson.
“It is a vital corridor for commuter cyclists in the north and west of the city, as well as a family-friendly amenity.
“Options exist that would maintain the walking and cycle route during construction.”
The group called for a solution to be found, including the possible construction of a bridge over the Royal Canal that would re-direct the Greenway onto the south bank of the canal during its construction.
Corcoran said that the group doesn’t “think anyone could predict how long it will take” to build the Metrolink, and that their worst case scenario is it will take six years.
He said they are also worried about the provision made for cyclists during the period that alternative arrangements are made.
“We’re worried about the trucks that are going to be bringing in cement for the construction phase,” he said.
They want high visibility trucks only allowed in this area.
“They can put in extra provision and block off part of the road, build extra paths there but if you’re going to do it back it up and provide the necessary space for vulnerable road users.”
Alternative route
However, a spokesman for the NTA said the six-year figure being used by the Dublin Cycling Campaign was inaccurate.
The authority did not provide an estimate for how long it would take to construct the Glasnevin station, but suggested it would take half that time at most.
The spokesman said:
The claim that there will be six years’ disruption is not accurate. Individual stations will typically take 2-3 years to complete. For the duration of any disruption to the Greenway, we will put in place an alternative route nearby for cyclists and pedestrians.
In that regard, we will consider any proposals, including the one put forward by the Dublin Cycling Campaign.
A public consultation on the Metrolink proposals is currently open, and finishes on 21 May.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2021, with first services to begin operation from 2027.
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My daughter is a social care worker with adults with learning difficulties & in her place of work they still haven’t been tested. All these adults are all live in house’s where she works.
I’d like to see some up to date reports of testing figures. This article quotes 188,837 from last Saturday, even though a figure of 214,761 has been published since then. What is the current figure for community testing?
It is right we test the people in Direct Provision as a priority because they have suffered enough after fleeing war torn countries.
@Frances Faller: nobody should be a priority in this. Everybody needs to be treated the same. Nobody’s health is more or less important than anyone else, does not matter where they came from
@Frances Faller: This is a common misconception. One can claim asylum under many different categories including sexual orientatation
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: maybe not a priority but their pleas shouldn’t be falling on deaf ears for weeks now. Money talks – FG don’t want to challenge those making a fortune out it direct provision to implement social distancing.
Also the Irish public just doesn’t care.
@Ali Ní Dhomhnaill: not true. Not everyone has the luxury of isolating themselves. People in direct provision and nursing homes are by default in environments where it’s difficult to isolate and where the virus is more easily transmitted. Tackling these outbreaks helps to eradicate the virus for everyone.
@Frances Faller: but what to do with the with people in direct provision that are making a mockery of the asylum process Pamela Izevbekhai springs to mind, cost the state half a millon Euro.There is no war in Albania, Moldova,Nigeria,Zimbabwe,Pakistan and Bangladesh to name but a few.
@JJandtim Dwyer: The Irish went all over the world and was treated very well and a lot became millionaires. All the refugees want is the same chance.
@Frances Faller: no problem with people coming from war torn countries, but as a certain Judge who is an expert on the topic,stated that 95% of asylum seekers are not telling the truth on why they came to Ireland, but in fact they come for work/migration
@Frances Faller: you are terrible at trolling
@Frances Faller: Have absolutely no problem with people coming here from a war torn country, its their right to seek shelter from tyranny,but I will not be made a fool of by those that spin the most outrageous yarns to gain access to my country.
I am sick to death of this comparison of , The Irish went all over the world , of course they did as they had their land was confiscated and their crops stolen , and were transported for stealing a loaf of bread, They built countries infrastructure , railways , highways, Dams and broke their backs doing it and never requested a nice hotel in the city.with 3 meals a day and weekly payment.
Their is nothing free in this world we al have to do our bit there is no such thing as a free lunch.
@JJandtim Dwyer: Well said. That horse that is usually trotted out about the Irish going “all over the world” when really it was to anglophone countries in the vast majority of cases, and as you rightly point out – it was sink or swim for those Irish souls.
Deport.
Why were they tested? Were they in at risk categories?
The Irish went all over the world and were treated well?? It’s for exactly the opposite reason we should have empathy with asylum seekers ‘ no dogs and no Irish ‘
have your say