Bill to save on major transport plans

THE Government is hoping to speed up and save money on multi-billion euro transport projects following the introduction of a planning infrastructure bill.

Proposals for the long-awaited bill, where major projects would be dealt with by a separate division within An Bord Pleanála, are set to be put before Cabinet on Tuesday.

Agreement on the new proposals is needed ahead of the announcement of a 10-year transport plan, with a budget of up to €16 billion. Details of the plan are to be announced soon.

It is hoped the new planning section will allow for the fast-tracking of major projects, including the planned Dublin Metro, an interconnector between Connolly and Heuston Stations and the opening of the western rail corridor.

Junior Transport Minister Ivor Callely told the Dáil late on Thursday that his department has received a detailed case for phase one of the Metro, which will run from St Stephen’s Green to Dublin Airport and possibly on to Swords.

The Railway Procurement Agency believes the Metro should be built on a public-private partnership basis and claimed it would take just 17 minutes to travel from the city centre to the airport.

The Metro will serve Trinity College, the Mater Hospital, DCU and Ballymun, according to Mr Callely.

“It is estimated that phase one would carry about 24 million passengers per annum, rising to about 50 million over time,” he added.

While the cost could be as high as €3.5bn, the Government has received assurances from at least one company that it could be completed for €1.2bn.