Dublin North & the Metro

Swords to City Centre in 26 minutes

It is important to point out that when the Metro North was first planned, it's intended final stop was Dublin Airport. It is equally important to point out that if it was not for the various interest groups and public representatives, and none more so than Councillor Michael Kennedy and his Fianna Fáil public representatives colleagues, then that's where it would have stopped for good. Continuous lobbying ensure that the Dublin Airport Metro became known as the Swords Metro, and by 2012 we will have a first class Metro service to Swords and Dublin North. Indeed in November 2005 I rang in to Joe Duffy's Live Line to debate this very issue with Ryanair's Michael O'Leary who did not want this metro service going to Dublin Airport. I argued of the benefits of it serving both Dublin Airport and Swords / Dublin North. I have worked hard on this project as a Fingal County Councillor and I can assure you if elected to Dáil Eireann, this will remain my number one focus. First of all to ensure to that the Metro is delivered on time and on budget. Secondly to ensure that the proper bus services (Shuttle / Nipper bus services, Park & Ride, etc.) to all parts of Dublin North are put in place, so that not only Swords, but all residents of Dublin North will be able to avail of this excellent development.

Picture above: Fianna Fáil Councillor & General Election Candidate, Michael KENNEDY discusses the future transport needs of North County Dublin with Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, TD.

METRO - March 2007 update / Press Release

Whilst the consultation process for the Metro West is ongoing, work continues on the Metro North project, with the RPA entering the advanced design phase of the project, Cllr Michael Kennedy revealed. Cllr Kennedy said: "The RPA has informed me that the Metro North project is well into its detailed design phase, with senior designers looking at different options to overcome the various challenges presented on the route decided on after the public consultation phase." "These options will be brought to the new board within the next month, for approval. A Railway Order will then be granted, allowing engineers to proceed to the procurement, tender and construction phases."

Swords-based Kennedy stressed that with a Metro every four minutes and a 17-minture journey from the airport to the City Centre, the newly-announced service will prove to be a pivotal element of the Transport 21 plan. And not only will Metro North make the entire North County accessible to and from the City Centre, it will also take over 40,000 cars off the road, revealed Dublin-North General Election candidate Cllr Michael Kennedy.

He said: "Dublin North needs and deserves a first class transport system. Metro North offers an integrated, high capacity public transport system. It will be modern, attractibe, accessible and make an immeasurable difference to 80,000 lives everyday. Crucially, like the Luas befoe it, Metro North will get people out of their cars and onto public transport."

Cllr Kennedy explained that the new line will join up the City Centre to Swords, via Dublin Airport and Ballymun, with a Metro every four minutes, growing to 90 seconds once demand builds. He said: "This service will link Swords to town in 26 minutes, allowing 80,000 people daily, serving the community from early morning to late at night. I am expecting it to be completed by 2012. Swords and the wider Fingal area is now home to thousands of people. With the Metro in place, the journey to the City Centre will be half what it I now."

The Metro North map - on target for 2012. Minister Brian Lenihan with Councillor Michael KENNEDY