Dublin - Metrolink (Swords to Charlemont only)

Even if you compare it to Phibs or Cabra, I think Drumcondra still is a higher density neigbourhood that isn't as well served by PT.

The metrolink route is via a new station at Crossguns Bridge serving the Phibsboro and Glasnevin areas of D7 and D11 and providing interchange to both DART lines and potentially an intercity service in one station.

The railway order is with the board and will not change at this stage so its not up for discussion.

If metrolnk is cancelled and in 2 decades we have another version of the project it may be a discussion worth having at that point.

Also, Cabra East A (4k per sqkm) includes Dublin Industrial Estate (zero population).

The populated area of this townland is next to Glasnevin Metro, where the density is likely 12k per sqkm in line with the surrounding townlands.

This townland is entirely unpopulated except in the blue areas. The majority of homes are in the south east side (beside Metro stop), so the population density here is substantially higher than 4k per sqkm.

Mountjoy B has a high density but a low total population of 4,300 people, as it's a very small area. It's also a very quick walk to OCS or Connolly Dart or Drumcondra Dart.

A not insignificant chunk of what is defined as Drumcondra would find it easier, or at least just as easy, to get to GJ as to Drumcondra station. I can't believe this crap is still be tolerated, the same irrelevant crap has been derailing this thread for years!

Nah, this guy won't stop spewing this nonsense even after it's too late to change things or even after reality has proved him wrong. I'm starting to wonder if it is actually Frank McDonald!

Today's letters. Shame the first one makes the usual mistake of going on and on about the airport when it's about so much more than that.

Sir, – Frank McDonald rails against a proposal for Dublin which doesn’t chime with his own vision for the city (“MetroLink will lay waste to chunks of the city centre but won’t integrate city transportation”, Opinion & Analysis, January 7th). This time his ire is directed toward MetroLink, a piece of infrastructure that would provide a high-capacity public transport link between the city centre and Swords via Dublin Airport and that many, including myself, would like to see delivered.

Frank McDonald claims that the proposal “is yet another example of the absence of joined-up thinking on transport in Dublin – a stand-alone project that doesn’t make coherent sense on its own and would need to be extended southwards in order to do so”. While ignoring the benefits of having a fast, segregated public transport link between the city centre and Dublin airport, your writer overlooks that the proposed MetroLink route would in fact help integrate existing public transport services across multiple locations in Dublin city. A new interchange with the heavy-rail network at Glasnevin is included in the proposal, while Luas and numerous bus services would be easily accessible from the proposed station on O’Connell Street and other city centre stations.

While it can certainly be argued that the proposed MetroLink route could have been further optimised, it is unfair to say the MetroLink proposal is incoherent and will provide no meaningful benefits in terms of transport integration within Dublin city.

Perhaps Frank McDonald would be so kind as to provide a follow-up piece which outlines his preferred approach for connecting Dublin Airport with a high-capacity, segregated public transport service with a specific route that mitigates against negative impacts on existing housing, public greenspace and buildings of interest? – Yours, etc,

MARK CONNOLLY,

Dublin 15.

Sir, – Frank McDonald notes what MetroLink is not connected to, but omits to mention what it connects.

MetroLink connects Dublin city with Swords, a growing town of over 40,000 residents.

MetroLink connects Dublin city with its airport, the only major European capital city not to have a rail link to its airport.

MetroLink connects with the Red and Green Luas lines at O’Connell Street.

MetroLink connects with the Dart, and northern and south eastern commuter rail at Tara.

But Frank McDonald, like many other opponents of MetroLink, only believes in MetroLink if it connects with the southside.

But Dublin is more than the leafy southside and its Dortspeak residents.

The city and county has a population of 1.5 million, and all its residents are entitled to have a Metro. – Yours, etc,

JASON FITZHARRIS,

Swords,

Co Dublin.

The one to watch is Finglas luas. Quietly the team are preparing to submit a railway order without any public or political opposition and few significant cost or engineering barriers. It could be under construction even in late 2024. Mark my words the concrete will not be dry when calls to extend to the airport start. Extending it to the airport in its self would be worthwhile project, it would offer good journey times from the airport to Finglas, Cabra, Stoneybatter and anywhere on the maynooth DART line with a change at broombridge.

If that happens metrolink is in trouble. And yes I know there's no comparison between metrolink and finglas luas but this is Ireland, its about what you (government in this case) can get away with.

If anything, Luas finglas could be at least extended to Northwood along Margaret's Avenue, to tie in with the metro there. That provides a link to the airport with only a quick interchange. Would be much faster than a winding Luas going all the way to the airport.

Don't change the subject. You keep referring to Drumcondra having higher population density, but when I point out the nuances of this you go back to Green Line cannibalism again - it's 900m to Cabra Luas (for humans, you know, humans use transport, not birds).

Population density in Glasnevin Jc is comparable to Drumcondra if you consider the higher population density on the eastern end of Cabra East A, plus the high tourist numbers in Botanic A.

Drumcondra already has a station which will be upgraded to full Dart. To what end do you insist on pushing this argument?