Cullen unveils plans for new Dublin metro line

Plans for a new Metro line for Dublin were unveiled today by Transport Minister Michael Cullen.

Consultations are to be held with residents living and working along two proposed routes for the new Metro West line.

The 28km track will carrying up to 20 million passengers a year when completed in 2014.

The second phase in the development of a Metro system for the capital was launched just weeks after the preferred route for Metro North from Dublin city centre to Swords was announced.

One options for the new route starts in Tallaght on the Belgard Road, serving Tallaght Institute of Technology, The Square, Tallaght Village, Clondalkin Town Centre, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown Town Centre.

The second option would start at the Tallaght stop of the existing Luas Red Line, run along the Luas Line as far as Cookstown Road, then follows the outer ring road north to Kingswood where it crosses the Naas Road, and travel through Grange Castle and Clondalkin.

It will serve Blanchardstown Town Centre and the Blanchardstown Institute of Technology.

Two options are also being considered to allow Metro West passengers access to the airport and Swords.

“I encourage the people of Dublin to express their views during the consultation phase so as to ensure that they can be taken into account in the future development of the project,” said Minister Cullen.

“The consultation process should identify any significant issues of concern to local people along the route and other stakeholders.”

The project is part of the Government’s investment programme for transport - Transport 21. Construction of Metro West is due to be complete in 2014, subject to the successful obtaining of a Railway Order from An Bord Pleanala.