Dublin City Council has confirmed it is to build a new €15 million bridge over the River Liffey, just downstream of O'Connell Bridge.
The council said the bridge, funded by the Government's Transport 21 plan, will carry buses and Luas trams across the Liffey.
"It will have cycleways and generous footpaths that will open Marlborough Street and Hawkins Street to greater footfall, prospective development and create a new north-south link from Abbey Street to Pearse Street," the council said in a statement.
It promised an "elegant, contemporary" design, with proper facilities for cyclists and wheelchairs to cross.
There will also be seating and landscaping.
"It will be a slender, single span, smooth concrete structure, with the underside of the bridge being designed to be as high above the water as possible so that river traffic is not impeded," the council said.
Construction is due to start late next year and will take approximately 18 months.
Consulting engineers Roughan & O’Donovan and Seán Harrington Architects were appointed in May to design the bridge. Roughan O’Donovan was the engineer for the Taney Luas bridge in Dundrum, Dublin, as well as the M1 Boyne Bridge at Drogheda, amongst others.
Harrington's projects include the Dublin Millennium Bridge. Conservation architect David Slattery will ensure that the historic quay walls are properly conserved, as well as advising on other matters relating to the historic and important setting of the project, the council said.
Gordon Rowland of the council's road design department, said the bridge would take a lot of bus movements away from O'Connell Bridge.
Asked whether the project might be under threat as a result of current economic difficulties, Mr Rowland said he believed the project was "fairly robust" and that there was a requirement for such a bridge to be built at that location over the Liffey.
Mr Rowland said that in the event that the project was not completed within an 18-month timeframe, there was a provision for a temporary bridge just downstream, which would facilitate work on the planned metro line.
Irishtimes.com
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label dublin city. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dublin city. Show all posts
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Downturn 'will not affect €2bn plan' for rail tunnel
PLANS to build a €2bn underground DART tunnel through Dublin city centre will go ahead despite the economic downturn.
The Government has told Iarnrod Eireann that its plans for a 5.2km "interconnector" linking Heuston Station to the Dublin Docklands is to proceed as planned, and the project is expected to be delivered by its 2015 deadline -- a year after Metro North is completed.
Yesterday a spokesman for the rail company said the interconnector was the main priority over the coming years and it expected to seek planning permission in autumn 2009.
Physical work is expected to begin in late 2010, with a five-year construction timeframe.
There had been concerns that the project could have been delayed given the precarious state of the Government's finances. However, Iarnrod Eireann last night said it had been told to proceed as planned, and that it would be hosting four open days so the public could see the final route.
"DART Underground is a core part of Transport 21, and the Transport Minister and his Department have made it clear to us that the delivery of this project is their number one priority for Iarnrod Eireann. It's full steam ahead," the spokesman said.
"For such a crucial project for the public transport needs of the city, we want all those living along the route, and those who will benefit from it in the wider community, to be able to examine the plans, and see the service frequency and capacity benefits which will result. These public meetings are the first of many in the months ahead, to ensure that all have the opportunity to see the route, and have their say."
The interconnector, in effect a second DART line, will run underground through the heart of the city and link the Northern line to the Kildare line, with underground stops at Docklands, Pearse Station, St Stephen's Green, Christchurch and Heuston.
It will be a vital piece of infrastructure and will see the DART extended to the Northern, Maynooth and Kildare commuter lines and allow train users to travel from Cork to Belfast without leaving Iarnrod Eireann property.
Terminate
The first DART line will run from Maynooth/Pace to Connolly Station, Pearse Station, Bray and Greystones, while the second line will run from Howth/Northern Line and serve Clontarf Road, Docklands, Pearse, St Stephen's Green, Christchurch, Heuston and terminate in Hazelhatch.
Passenger numbers on DART and commuter services will increase from 33m today to over 100m on completion. It also links all rail modes -- DART, Commuter, Intercity, Luas and Metro -- to form an integrated cohesive network.
The information meetings take place on four dates from 5pm to 8pm. Today's meeting is in the Ashling Hotel on Parkgate St, while another will take place tomorrow at the Central Hotel on Exchequer Street.
Another two meetings are next week. The first on August 19 at St Mary's Youth Club on Strangford Road and the second the following day at the Alexander Hotel on Merrion Square.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The Government has told Iarnrod Eireann that its plans for a 5.2km "interconnector" linking Heuston Station to the Dublin Docklands is to proceed as planned, and the project is expected to be delivered by its 2015 deadline -- a year after Metro North is completed.
Yesterday a spokesman for the rail company said the interconnector was the main priority over the coming years and it expected to seek planning permission in autumn 2009.
Physical work is expected to begin in late 2010, with a five-year construction timeframe.
There had been concerns that the project could have been delayed given the precarious state of the Government's finances. However, Iarnrod Eireann last night said it had been told to proceed as planned, and that it would be hosting four open days so the public could see the final route.
"DART Underground is a core part of Transport 21, and the Transport Minister and his Department have made it clear to us that the delivery of this project is their number one priority for Iarnrod Eireann. It's full steam ahead," the spokesman said.
"For such a crucial project for the public transport needs of the city, we want all those living along the route, and those who will benefit from it in the wider community, to be able to examine the plans, and see the service frequency and capacity benefits which will result. These public meetings are the first of many in the months ahead, to ensure that all have the opportunity to see the route, and have their say."
The interconnector, in effect a second DART line, will run underground through the heart of the city and link the Northern line to the Kildare line, with underground stops at Docklands, Pearse Station, St Stephen's Green, Christchurch and Heuston.
It will be a vital piece of infrastructure and will see the DART extended to the Northern, Maynooth and Kildare commuter lines and allow train users to travel from Cork to Belfast without leaving Iarnrod Eireann property.
Terminate
The first DART line will run from Maynooth/Pace to Connolly Station, Pearse Station, Bray and Greystones, while the second line will run from Howth/Northern Line and serve Clontarf Road, Docklands, Pearse, St Stephen's Green, Christchurch, Heuston and terminate in Hazelhatch.
Passenger numbers on DART and commuter services will increase from 33m today to over 100m on completion. It also links all rail modes -- DART, Commuter, Intercity, Luas and Metro -- to form an integrated cohesive network.
The information meetings take place on four dates from 5pm to 8pm. Today's meeting is in the Ashling Hotel on Parkgate St, while another will take place tomorrow at the Central Hotel on Exchequer Street.
Another two meetings are next week. The first on August 19 at St Mary's Youth Club on Strangford Road and the second the following day at the Alexander Hotel on Merrion Square.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 22 May 2008
Lack of space in Dublin for 'top tier' shopping centres
Dublin lags behind its EU neighbours in terms of per capita shopping space, says a new study.
DUBLIN CITY has a relatively low per capita volume of shopping centre space compared with our EU neighbours, despite the fact that it offers almost 800,000sq m (8,611,128sq ft) of space. The city's urban quarter is dominated by ageing centres and there is also a limited amount of 'top tier' retail space in the city and county, according to a new study.
Savills Hamilton Osborne King has put together a new report that looks in detail at the country's retail sector. Retail Watch is a bi-annual offering and the latest report, published last week, analyses in particular the 791,000sq m (8,514,253sq ft) of space in Dublin's 63 shopping centres.
The report also breaks down the distribution of space across the four county council sub-divisions: Dublin city, Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown, South County and North County Dublin.
This analysis indicates that there is only 0.63sq m (6.78sq ft) of shopping centre space per capita in Dublin city and county, according to Mary-Kate McGarry, an economist at Savills.
"This level of space per capita in Dublin is half that of the current Eurozone average and falls far below the 20sq m (215.27sq ft) of space per capita in the US," she said.
Fingal and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown offer about 1sq m (10.76sq ft) of shopping centre space per capita while the South County stands at 0.8sq m (8.61sq ft).
Surprisingly, the city centre only offers about 0.3sq m (3.23sq ft) of centre space, and of the centre space in the city, more than 80 per cent was built before 1987. Yet the city also provides about 450,000sq m (4,843,759sq ft) of on-street retail space and if this is included in the Dublin retail mix the per capita space pushes up to 1.19sq m (12.81sq ft) - still below the Eurozone average - the report indicates.
McGarry argues that the report highlights the fact there is a limited supply of 'top tier' shopping centre space in Dublin city and county. In the city this is associated with the age of many centres. The volume and quality of space will improve significantly with the arrival of the new shopping space planned for O'Connell Street.
"The addition of the Arnotts Northern Quarter and the Carlton Cinema site will potentially increase the provision of shopping centre space by over 60 per cent," she said.
Dublin's top 10 largest shopping centres account for almost 410,000sq m (4,413,203sq ft), which represents over 50 per cent of Dublin's total shopping centre space, thus illustrating the proportion of Dublin shopping centre stock dominated by smaller, grocery led anchors, McGarry indicated.
"In fact just one-fifth of Dublin shopping centres exceed 15,000sq m (161,458sq ft), which is by no means extravagant, and only one-quarter of shopping centres in the top 10 were completed in the last decade.
Clearly there is a limited supply of 'top-tier' shopping centre retail space." The top ten include Dundrum, Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, the Pavilions and the Square. South County Dublin holds a one-third stake in the space provided by Dublin's top ten largest shopping centres, which is the greatest of the four council areas, McGarry said.
The largest single anchor tenant in terms of space is Dunnes - it is a key tenant in seven of the top ten centres.
Retail development has raced ahead away from the city centre with Fingal adding about 50 per cent to its total between 2000 and 2007, McGarry said.
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown came off a low base but its totals are now high because of the Dundrum Town Centre and Beacon South Quarter.
South Dublin council area retail space increased by about 33 per cent between 2000 and 2007. Dublin's total for shopping centres rose by only 10 per cent but the Arnotts and Carlton sites will increase this significantly, the report says. "Given the built-up nature of the Dublin city council borough, large-scale shopping centre development has been sporadic simply given the lack of space. Jervis Street and Stephen's Green have been the only major developments in the City in the last 20 years," McGarry said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
DUBLIN CITY has a relatively low per capita volume of shopping centre space compared with our EU neighbours, despite the fact that it offers almost 800,000sq m (8,611,128sq ft) of space. The city's urban quarter is dominated by ageing centres and there is also a limited amount of 'top tier' retail space in the city and county, according to a new study.
Savills Hamilton Osborne King has put together a new report that looks in detail at the country's retail sector. Retail Watch is a bi-annual offering and the latest report, published last week, analyses in particular the 791,000sq m (8,514,253sq ft) of space in Dublin's 63 shopping centres.
The report also breaks down the distribution of space across the four county council sub-divisions: Dublin city, Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown, South County and North County Dublin.
This analysis indicates that there is only 0.63sq m (6.78sq ft) of shopping centre space per capita in Dublin city and county, according to Mary-Kate McGarry, an economist at Savills.
"This level of space per capita in Dublin is half that of the current Eurozone average and falls far below the 20sq m (215.27sq ft) of space per capita in the US," she said.
Fingal and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown offer about 1sq m (10.76sq ft) of shopping centre space per capita while the South County stands at 0.8sq m (8.61sq ft).
Surprisingly, the city centre only offers about 0.3sq m (3.23sq ft) of centre space, and of the centre space in the city, more than 80 per cent was built before 1987. Yet the city also provides about 450,000sq m (4,843,759sq ft) of on-street retail space and if this is included in the Dublin retail mix the per capita space pushes up to 1.19sq m (12.81sq ft) - still below the Eurozone average - the report indicates.
McGarry argues that the report highlights the fact there is a limited supply of 'top tier' shopping centre space in Dublin city and county. In the city this is associated with the age of many centres. The volume and quality of space will improve significantly with the arrival of the new shopping space planned for O'Connell Street.
"The addition of the Arnotts Northern Quarter and the Carlton Cinema site will potentially increase the provision of shopping centre space by over 60 per cent," she said.
Dublin's top 10 largest shopping centres account for almost 410,000sq m (4,413,203sq ft), which represents over 50 per cent of Dublin's total shopping centre space, thus illustrating the proportion of Dublin shopping centre stock dominated by smaller, grocery led anchors, McGarry indicated.
"In fact just one-fifth of Dublin shopping centres exceed 15,000sq m (161,458sq ft), which is by no means extravagant, and only one-quarter of shopping centres in the top 10 were completed in the last decade.
Clearly there is a limited supply of 'top-tier' shopping centre retail space." The top ten include Dundrum, Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, the Pavilions and the Square. South County Dublin holds a one-third stake in the space provided by Dublin's top ten largest shopping centres, which is the greatest of the four council areas, McGarry said.
The largest single anchor tenant in terms of space is Dunnes - it is a key tenant in seven of the top ten centres.
Retail development has raced ahead away from the city centre with Fingal adding about 50 per cent to its total between 2000 and 2007, McGarry said.
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown came off a low base but its totals are now high because of the Dundrum Town Centre and Beacon South Quarter.
South Dublin council area retail space increased by about 33 per cent between 2000 and 2007. Dublin's total for shopping centres rose by only 10 per cent but the Arnotts and Carlton sites will increase this significantly, the report says. "Given the built-up nature of the Dublin city council borough, large-scale shopping centre development has been sporadic simply given the lack of space. Jervis Street and Stephen's Green have been the only major developments in the City in the last 20 years," McGarry said.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 18 February 2008
Metro stations get the green light in fast-track decision
Work on the Metro from Dublin city centre to the airport is to start, even though a builder has not been picked.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has received Cabinet approval for the necessary Exchequer funding to be used to fast-track construction of stations at the new Mater Hospital and at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport.
The RPA will now go ahead and build the station boxes at the Mater and Dublin Airport.
If they waited for the successful bidder to build these stations, it would cause significant disruption at both the Mater and the airport, as construction on the new hospital and new terminal would be already underway. By giving the green light to the RPA now to get construction underway, disruption will be minimised at both locations.
The Irish Independent has learned that the RPA is to invite the four international consortia that have pre-qualified to tender for the Metro North project to engage in a technical workshop in advance of inviting them to formally bid for the project.
It is understood that the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) will have to delay lodging its Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála by up to three months, because the design for Metro North is not sufficiently detailed for the purposes of a planning application.
The RPA had planned to lodge the application to the Board early this year under new legislation which allows for the 'fast-tracking of strategic infrastructure projects, but it could be the summer before the design is complete. This could result in a delay in Metro coming on-stream. Construction work was due to be completed by 2012, but the newapaper has learned from informed sources that it is likely to be 2013 before work is finished.
However, Minister Dempsey secured Government approval for the RPA to begin enabling works on the construction of the station sites at the new Mater Hospital and Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. The Government has now agreed the financing structure of the project, so that the RPA can proceed with the bidding process.
The Metro will be the largest infrastructure project currently under way in Europe and the Minister said he was pushing to get it delivered as quickly as possible - adding that the Metro was vital as a cost-effective public transport alternative to get people out of their cars. "We can't let cars continue to pour onto our streets. It's unsustainable, it's causing traffic gridlock - costing the economy millions and people precious time" - he added.
The proposed route for Metro North would serve areas where the population is expected to double in the next 20 years.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has received Cabinet approval for the necessary Exchequer funding to be used to fast-track construction of stations at the new Mater Hospital and at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport.
The RPA will now go ahead and build the station boxes at the Mater and Dublin Airport.
If they waited for the successful bidder to build these stations, it would cause significant disruption at both the Mater and the airport, as construction on the new hospital and new terminal would be already underway. By giving the green light to the RPA now to get construction underway, disruption will be minimised at both locations.
The Irish Independent has learned that the RPA is to invite the four international consortia that have pre-qualified to tender for the Metro North project to engage in a technical workshop in advance of inviting them to formally bid for the project.
It is understood that the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) will have to delay lodging its Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála by up to three months, because the design for Metro North is not sufficiently detailed for the purposes of a planning application.
The RPA had planned to lodge the application to the Board early this year under new legislation which allows for the 'fast-tracking of strategic infrastructure projects, but it could be the summer before the design is complete. This could result in a delay in Metro coming on-stream. Construction work was due to be completed by 2012, but the newapaper has learned from informed sources that it is likely to be 2013 before work is finished.
However, Minister Dempsey secured Government approval for the RPA to begin enabling works on the construction of the station sites at the new Mater Hospital and Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport. The Government has now agreed the financing structure of the project, so that the RPA can proceed with the bidding process.
The Metro will be the largest infrastructure project currently under way in Europe and the Minister said he was pushing to get it delivered as quickly as possible - adding that the Metro was vital as a cost-effective public transport alternative to get people out of their cars. "We can't let cars continue to pour onto our streets. It's unsustainable, it's causing traffic gridlock - costing the economy millions and people precious time" - he added.
The proposed route for Metro North would serve areas where the population is expected to double in the next 20 years.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 17 September 2007
Shortlist drawn for €5bn Dublin Metro system
A SHORTLIST of international consortia has been drawn up to design, build and operate the proposed €5bn Metro from Dublin city centre to the airport.
The list of bidders, selected by the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA), includes some of the leading operators of Metro systems abroad.
It includes Veolia, which already operates the Luas.
Shortlisted consortia has until November 2 to compete for one infrastructure provider, one to supply the Metro carriages and one to operate the system.
It is intended that the Railway Order application process will commence in early 2008.
The pre-application consultation process with an An Bord Pleanala has commenced and the public consultation process is ongoing.
However, it is expected that the Metro will not be operational until 2016.
As well as Metro North, the RPA is planning the Metro West, a 25km line linking Tallaght with Ballymun and a number of Luas lines, serving Citywest, Docklands and Cherrywood/Shanganagh.
Irish Independent
The list of bidders, selected by the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA), includes some of the leading operators of Metro systems abroad.
It includes Veolia, which already operates the Luas.
Shortlisted consortia has until November 2 to compete for one infrastructure provider, one to supply the Metro carriages and one to operate the system.
It is intended that the Railway Order application process will commence in early 2008.
The pre-application consultation process with an An Bord Pleanala has commenced and the public consultation process is ongoing.
However, it is expected that the Metro will not be operational until 2016.
As well as Metro North, the RPA is planning the Metro West, a 25km line linking Tallaght with Ballymun and a number of Luas lines, serving Citywest, Docklands and Cherrywood/Shanganagh.
Irish Independent
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
new Action Plan on Homelessness in Dublin
A Key to the door – the Homeless Agency's Third Action Plan on Homelessness in Dublin which covers the period 2007-2010 is now available.
The Plan as prepared by the Homeless Agency on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and other relevant statutory and voluntary bodies. The Action Plan was developed following a period of consultation with homeless service providers, both voluntary and statutory and other interested sectors.
The Plan as prepared by the Homeless Agency on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities in conjunction with the Health Service Executive and other relevant statutory and voluntary bodies. The Action Plan was developed following a period of consultation with homeless service providers, both voluntary and statutory and other interested sectors.
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