PLANS BY the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) for an extensive network of Luas light rail lines in Dublin – as put forward in late 2004 – would cost about €3 billion to implement, according to official documents.
The documents were only released by the Department of Transport this year after an Irish Times Freedom of Information Act request in November 2005, along with an appeal to Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly.
Although many figures in the documents were blacked out, it is clear that the Department of Finance was sceptical about the RPA’s assumption that 24-hour tunnelling could be used to cut the cost of its Metro North project – estimated at €4.58 billion.
The department queried Iarnród Éireann’s cost estimate for its “Dart Underground” project – a link between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock – saying it was based on a cheaper single-bore tunnel, “unlikely to proceed” for safety reasons.
In addition to the proposed 18km metro line between Swords and St Stephen’s Green, the RPA’s Light Rail Investment Strategy 2004-2014 envisaged 13 new Luas lines, of which only one (Connolly Station to The Point) has been completed so far.
The list included an extension of the Sandyford Luas line to Cherrywood, now under construction, and joining the two existing lines serving Tallaght and Sandyford in the city centre.
Other lines were: O’Connell Street-Sillogue (Ballymun), Sillogue-Swords, Cookstown-Citywest, Lucan-city centre, Cherrywood-Bray, Whitehall-Howth Junction, Red Cow-Clondalkin, Clondalkin-Lucan, Lucan-Blanchardstown and Blanchardstown-Ballymun.
The combined route length given in the strategy is 83.6km. Based on the disclosed capital cost of €260 million for the 7.5km Sandyford-Cherrywood line and €130 million for Cookstown-Citywest (4km), the overall cost would work out at €2.926 billion.
Cost estimates were based on an average of €35 million per kilometre, sufficient to include “significant structures” such as bridges as well as the diversion of utilities such as electricity, gas and water lines from the track-bed.
The Docklands extension was more expensive, at €65.05 million, mainly due to the need to protect sensitive underground cables. At 1.57km, including a bridge over Spencer Dock, this works out at €41.4 million per kilometre.
The RPA’s business case for the Docklands extension assumed the city link between the two existing Luas lines and the Sandyford line extension “are in place and that trams operate on the network from The Point to Bride’s Glen”.
Although the 2004 Light Rail Investment Strategy said development of a permanent link between the Sandyford and Tallaght lines “should now be considered as a matter of urgency”, no application for a railway order has been made.
In making its case for the city centre link via Dawson Street, College Green and Westmoreland Street, the RPA’s “strong view” was that this would involve no duplication with the proposed metro, saying they would have “distinctly differing” roles.
Another document dealing with funding options for the Sandyford- Cherrywood line noted that more than 50 per cent of the capital cost would be covered by the private sector, in the form of development levies, as well as the provision of land free of charge. Given the virtual collapse of development activity along this corridor, it is uncertain how much of the capital cost has been – or can be – recouped from developers.
In late 2004, after the introduction of the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines, the RPA proposed that it would carry out feasibility studies for light rail lines in Cork, Galway and Limerick. None of these studies has proceeded.
INFORMATION OFFICER: HER VIEW
THE OFFICE of Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly is minded to uphold the Department of Transport’s view that the release of estimated costings for major public transport projects such as Metro North in Dublin would not be in the public interest.
After the Department of Transport refused to release information that would show the likely cost of any of the projects, an appeal was made to the Information Commissioner in March 2006. As a result, some further documentation was subsequently released.
Anne Moran, the investigator dealing with the case, agreed that “there is a public interest in ensuring the accountability of Government for decisions made that involve large sums of public monies, especially where cutbacks have been made in all areas”.
She also said there was “a public interest in ensuring value for money in the improvement of State infrastructure [and] in minimising the risk that more taxpayer money might be spent on the projects than would otherwise have been necessary”.
FRANK MCDONALD
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label railway procurement agency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label railway procurement agency. Show all posts
Monday, 1 February 2010
Monday, 2 March 2009
Bord Pleanála to hire experts to assess Metro North plan
Bord Pleanála is to hire its own experts in the areas of noise, traffic, vibration and ground settlement in assessing the Railway Procurement Agency's plans for Metro north, the preliminary inquiry into the metro was told this morning.
Opening what he said was a "housekeeping" session to decide on the running order for the inquiry in Dublin's Croke Park today, Bord Pleanála senior planning inspector Kevin Moore said there had been almost 200 formal observations on plans for the 18 kilometre route from St Stephen's Green to north of Swords, eight kilometres of which is to be underground.
James Connolly SC for the Railway Procurement Agency told the hearing he expected the case in favour of Dublin's first metro route would take about six days to outline.
Others who are seeking time at the hearing include the Mater Hospital, schools, An Taisce, Iarnród Éireann, Fingal and Dublin City councils, Dublin Airport Authority, traders associations and individual residents associations.
The inquiry will also provide a period for cross-examination of witnesses which is expected to be considerable.
Colm Costello for the CIE group said negotiations between the procurement agency and the CIE group were ongoing and their success would impact on how much time the group would need to make its observations.
Mr Moore told the inquiry that once the running order and likely timescale for the inquiry proper was established, each of the parties would be advised in writing of the probable length and venue of the inquiry.
An environmental impact statement (EIS) on the project last September predicted the effects expected from the construction of the Metro line could include serious impacts on sensitive equipment at the Rotunda and Mater hospitals, and the possibility that the Mater may have to make alternative arrangements for operations.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Opening what he said was a "housekeeping" session to decide on the running order for the inquiry in Dublin's Croke Park today, Bord Pleanála senior planning inspector Kevin Moore said there had been almost 200 formal observations on plans for the 18 kilometre route from St Stephen's Green to north of Swords, eight kilometres of which is to be underground.
James Connolly SC for the Railway Procurement Agency told the hearing he expected the case in favour of Dublin's first metro route would take about six days to outline.
Others who are seeking time at the hearing include the Mater Hospital, schools, An Taisce, Iarnród Éireann, Fingal and Dublin City councils, Dublin Airport Authority, traders associations and individual residents associations.
The inquiry will also provide a period for cross-examination of witnesses which is expected to be considerable.
Colm Costello for the CIE group said negotiations between the procurement agency and the CIE group were ongoing and their success would impact on how much time the group would need to make its observations.
Mr Moore told the inquiry that once the running order and likely timescale for the inquiry proper was established, each of the parties would be advised in writing of the probable length and venue of the inquiry.
An environmental impact statement (EIS) on the project last September predicted the effects expected from the construction of the Metro line could include serious impacts on sensitive equipment at the Rotunda and Mater hospitals, and the possibility that the Mater may have to make alternative arrangements for operations.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tenders for Metro North to be lower due to falling costs
FOUR TENDERS for Metro North received by the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) last Friday are likely to be substantially lower than anticipated because of an estimated 20 per cent fall in construction costs.
The project, known to have been costed at €4.58 billion in 2004, would directly create between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs and would represent “the type of economic stimulus that Ireland needs at the moment”, said RPA chief executive Frank Allen.
A preliminary oral hearing on the agency’s draft Railway Order for Metro North, an 18km mainly underground line linking Swords with St Stephen’s Green, opens today in Croke Park before Kevin Moore, senior planning inspector with Bord Pleanála.
More than 300 submissions have been made, mostly in support of the project, after the draft Railway Order was submitted to the appeals board last September, Mr Allen said. “It’s at an advanced stage of the planning process so now is the time to move ahead.”
Procurement of Metro North was also “at a critical stage”, with some 600 boxes of tender submissions from the four “preferred bidders” – Irish and international consortiums with experience of tunnelling projects. These are to be evaluated in the coming months.
“Value for money is far greater now than it was even a year ago,” Mr Allen said, adding that an index compiled by the Society of Chartered Surveyors showed that there had been a 20 per cent drop in construction tender prices.
After the four tenders are evaluated, he said the RPA would invite two of the consortiums to submit “best and final offers” in July, with a view to choosing one of them for submission to the Government by the end of this year.
Mr Allen explained that under the public-private partnership deal being contemplated by the RPA, Metro North would be paid for over a 25-year period.
He said each bidder would have spent €10 million on their tenders. “It would send an important message internationally if the Government decided to proceed without delay on the project. But it would be very damaging if it didn’t.”
There is concern that with the Government facing an €11 billion shortfall in the public finances, Metro North could be a casualty.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The project, known to have been costed at €4.58 billion in 2004, would directly create between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs and would represent “the type of economic stimulus that Ireland needs at the moment”, said RPA chief executive Frank Allen.
A preliminary oral hearing on the agency’s draft Railway Order for Metro North, an 18km mainly underground line linking Swords with St Stephen’s Green, opens today in Croke Park before Kevin Moore, senior planning inspector with Bord Pleanála.
More than 300 submissions have been made, mostly in support of the project, after the draft Railway Order was submitted to the appeals board last September, Mr Allen said. “It’s at an advanced stage of the planning process so now is the time to move ahead.”
Procurement of Metro North was also “at a critical stage”, with some 600 boxes of tender submissions from the four “preferred bidders” – Irish and international consortiums with experience of tunnelling projects. These are to be evaluated in the coming months.
“Value for money is far greater now than it was even a year ago,” Mr Allen said, adding that an index compiled by the Society of Chartered Surveyors showed that there had been a 20 per cent drop in construction tender prices.
After the four tenders are evaluated, he said the RPA would invite two of the consortiums to submit “best and final offers” in July, with a view to choosing one of them for submission to the Government by the end of this year.
Mr Allen explained that under the public-private partnership deal being contemplated by the RPA, Metro North would be paid for over a 25-year period.
He said each bidder would have spent €10 million on their tenders. “It would send an important message internationally if the Government decided to proceed without delay on the project. But it would be very damaging if it didn’t.”
There is concern that with the Government facing an €11 billion shortfall in the public finances, Metro North could be a casualty.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 12 October 2008
RPA insists it did not spend €180k on Luas report
THE Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has insisted it did not spend €180,000 on a
controversial report that found a new Luas line was economically unviable.
The Department of Transport said the massive sum had accrued in "preparing the feasibility study" on a light rail track from Rathfarnham and Terenure to Dublin's city centre.
However, the RPA said the money had been spent on a major public consultation in which thousands of local residents were asked for their views.
The controversial resulting report states that the proposed Luas Line E will not pay its way – and instead could lose in the region of €2m a year.
The study also highlights significant costs in developing the tram line, including the purchase of dozens of properties and gardens along the route.
The Department of Transport said: "In May 2008, the RPA published its feasibility study on a possible Luas line connecting
Dundrum to the city centre via
Rathfarnham, Terenure and Harold's Cross (known as Line E).
"[It is understood] from the RPA that the cost of the work to date in preparing the feasibility study is approximately €180,000.
"The report is only a first step in a process of assessing whether or not the development of a Luas line serving the specified areas ought to be pursued."
However, RPA spokesman Tom Manning said it was not a case of merely spending the €180,000 fee on the report.
He said: "That includes the public consultation and we have consulted widely with a large number of people in the area and local representatives.
"It represents very good value for money and we are continuing to examine the responses so it is not just a case of the money being spent on a document.
"A report like this is out there to get a response and we have had some very interesting responses. We will be meeting local representatives in the coming weeks and are hoping to give them an indication of where we are going with this."
Critics of the proposed tram route believe it was always unlikely that Luas Line E would be built and that the feasibility study was carried out to placate local interest groups.
The report specifies a number of
difficulties with any planned routing for the tram and the fact that its catchment area overlaps the two other Luas lines in Dublin.
It says: "Substantial property acquisition would be required involving approximately 10 buildings and 150 gardens and shared running [single lane of track] would be necessary in places.
"In order to make the line feasible through Terenure, a loop arrangement proved to be the most reasonable option, thereby mitigating the negative effects of prolonged shared running along the heavily trafficked N81.
"The section between Broadstone and Christchurch presented a number of
engineering difficulties including insufficient vertical clearance at Christchurch Arch, the structural insufficiency of O'Donovan Rossa Bridge and the gradient of Winetavern Street.
"For this reason the study concluded that the most feasible alignment would terminate in the city centre at Christchurch."
But if Luas Line E went ahead under this plan, it would replicate the existing problem of tram lines which do not intersect.
The report adds: "The main issues identified during the study which might
influence a determination in relation to feasibility are as follows: the negative impact to road users, objections relating to the necessity to acquire property, local objections from residents, operating costs – the project falls short of covering its operating costs by approximately €2m per year."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
controversial report that found a new Luas line was economically unviable.
The Department of Transport said the massive sum had accrued in "preparing the feasibility study" on a light rail track from Rathfarnham and Terenure to Dublin's city centre.
However, the RPA said the money had been spent on a major public consultation in which thousands of local residents were asked for their views.
The controversial resulting report states that the proposed Luas Line E will not pay its way – and instead could lose in the region of €2m a year.
The study also highlights significant costs in developing the tram line, including the purchase of dozens of properties and gardens along the route.
The Department of Transport said: "In May 2008, the RPA published its feasibility study on a possible Luas line connecting
Dundrum to the city centre via
Rathfarnham, Terenure and Harold's Cross (known as Line E).
"[It is understood] from the RPA that the cost of the work to date in preparing the feasibility study is approximately €180,000.
"The report is only a first step in a process of assessing whether or not the development of a Luas line serving the specified areas ought to be pursued."
However, RPA spokesman Tom Manning said it was not a case of merely spending the €180,000 fee on the report.
He said: "That includes the public consultation and we have consulted widely with a large number of people in the area and local representatives.
"It represents very good value for money and we are continuing to examine the responses so it is not just a case of the money being spent on a document.
"A report like this is out there to get a response and we have had some very interesting responses. We will be meeting local representatives in the coming weeks and are hoping to give them an indication of where we are going with this."
Critics of the proposed tram route believe it was always unlikely that Luas Line E would be built and that the feasibility study was carried out to placate local interest groups.
The report specifies a number of
difficulties with any planned routing for the tram and the fact that its catchment area overlaps the two other Luas lines in Dublin.
It says: "Substantial property acquisition would be required involving approximately 10 buildings and 150 gardens and shared running [single lane of track] would be necessary in places.
"In order to make the line feasible through Terenure, a loop arrangement proved to be the most reasonable option, thereby mitigating the negative effects of prolonged shared running along the heavily trafficked N81.
"The section between Broadstone and Christchurch presented a number of
engineering difficulties including insufficient vertical clearance at Christchurch Arch, the structural insufficiency of O'Donovan Rossa Bridge and the gradient of Winetavern Street.
"For this reason the study concluded that the most feasible alignment would terminate in the city centre at Christchurch."
But if Luas Line E went ahead under this plan, it would replicate the existing problem of tram lines which do not intersect.
The report adds: "The main issues identified during the study which might
influence a determination in relation to feasibility are as follows: the negative impact to road users, objections relating to the necessity to acquire property, local objections from residents, operating costs – the project falls short of covering its operating costs by approximately €2m per year."
Sunday Tribune
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 29 September 2008
Rail line will link Swords with the city
THE RAILWAY Procurement Agency (RPA) is applying to An Bord Pleanála for a railway order to build Metro North, an 18km light metro line linking Belinstown (north of Swords) with St Stephen's Green, serving Dublin airport along the way.
The proposed scheme is described as "a key element in the creation of a fully integrated public transport network as envisaged in Transport 21", the Government's €34 billion transport investment programme, unveiled with great fanfare at Dublin Castle on November 1st, 2005.
It would interchange with the Sandyford Luas Line at St Stephen's Green and the Tallaght Luas line at O'Connell Street. It would also interchange with the Dart and suburban rail services via the proposed rail interconnector between Heuston station and Docklands.
Another interchange with the Maynooth suburban line is planned at Drumcondra as well as 2,600 "park and ride" spaces along the route so that Metro North would "benefit people from far beyond its immediate catchment area."
According to the RPA, the metro will carry 80,000 passengers a day when it opens in 2014. The proposed scheme would have an ultimate capacity in excess of 40,000 passengers an hour (20,000 in each direction).
"This is beyond the capacity of an on-street light rail system, but will easily be accommodated on metro, which can accommodate longer light metro vehicles (LMVs) operating at a higher frequency", the EIS says. The LMVs would be similar to the Luas.
Each LMV would be 2.4m wide and 45 metres long and would operate in a set of two coupled vehicles.
"The journey time from Swords to the city centre will be about 26 minutes, less than half the time of the same journey by car at peak rush hour," the RPA says.
Stations along the route, even when underground, are referred to as "stops" rather than stations - reinforcing the impression that what's on offer is not a "metro" as in Paris, for example, but a version of Luas, running mainly in very expensive-to-dig tunnels.
The voluminous environmental impact statement (EIS) submitted to An Bord Pleanála says a number of alternatives were examined before the RPA opted for Metro North. These included a proposed rail spur to Dublin airport from the Dart line at Malahide.
"This was not approved as it failed to achieve the Government's objectives . . . In particular, it would not serve as a commuter system for north Dublin . . . and would only serve people wishing to make direct connections between the city centre and the airport."
No cost estimate has been given for the Metro North project. However, it is known that the cost was put at €4.58 billion in 2004 but with construction inflation and changes to the scheme since then the cost is now likely to be well over €5 billion.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The proposed scheme is described as "a key element in the creation of a fully integrated public transport network as envisaged in Transport 21", the Government's €34 billion transport investment programme, unveiled with great fanfare at Dublin Castle on November 1st, 2005.
It would interchange with the Sandyford Luas Line at St Stephen's Green and the Tallaght Luas line at O'Connell Street. It would also interchange with the Dart and suburban rail services via the proposed rail interconnector between Heuston station and Docklands.
Another interchange with the Maynooth suburban line is planned at Drumcondra as well as 2,600 "park and ride" spaces along the route so that Metro North would "benefit people from far beyond its immediate catchment area."
According to the RPA, the metro will carry 80,000 passengers a day when it opens in 2014. The proposed scheme would have an ultimate capacity in excess of 40,000 passengers an hour (20,000 in each direction).
"This is beyond the capacity of an on-street light rail system, but will easily be accommodated on metro, which can accommodate longer light metro vehicles (LMVs) operating at a higher frequency", the EIS says. The LMVs would be similar to the Luas.
Each LMV would be 2.4m wide and 45 metres long and would operate in a set of two coupled vehicles.
"The journey time from Swords to the city centre will be about 26 minutes, less than half the time of the same journey by car at peak rush hour," the RPA says.
Stations along the route, even when underground, are referred to as "stops" rather than stations - reinforcing the impression that what's on offer is not a "metro" as in Paris, for example, but a version of Luas, running mainly in very expensive-to-dig tunnels.
The voluminous environmental impact statement (EIS) submitted to An Bord Pleanála says a number of alternatives were examined before the RPA opted for Metro North. These included a proposed rail spur to Dublin airport from the Dart line at Malahide.
"This was not approved as it failed to achieve the Government's objectives . . . In particular, it would not serve as a commuter system for north Dublin . . . and would only serve people wishing to make direct connections between the city centre and the airport."
No cost estimate has been given for the Metro North project. However, it is known that the cost was put at €4.58 billion in 2004 but with construction inflation and changes to the scheme since then the cost is now likely to be well over €5 billion.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Metro North deadline put back to 2009
The bidders for the Metro North rail project have been told that the date for the submission of tenders has been extended by more than two months to February next year.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has told the four consortiums vying for the multibillion euro project that their detailed costings now have to be submitted by February 6, rather than November 27.The RPA has reassured the bidders that the project will go ahead despite the decline in the government finances.
An RPA spokesman said the date had been changed ‘‘at the request of some of the bidders’’. He said that the RPA was ready to submit an application for a railway order for the Metro North - which will run between Swords and St Stephen’s Green – to An Bord Pleanála.
‘‘The railway order application, which is over 3,000 pages, is at the printers and ready to go this week,” he said. ‘‘It contains all the drawings, reference books, and a comprehensive environmental impact study. It will be out on display by the board.”
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has told the four consortiums vying for the multibillion euro project that their detailed costings now have to be submitted by February 6, rather than November 27.The RPA has reassured the bidders that the project will go ahead despite the decline in the government finances.
An RPA spokesman said the date had been changed ‘‘at the request of some of the bidders’’. He said that the RPA was ready to submit an application for a railway order for the Metro North - which will run between Swords and St Stephen’s Green – to An Bord Pleanála.
‘‘The railway order application, which is over 3,000 pages, is at the printers and ready to go this week,” he said. ‘‘It contains all the drawings, reference books, and a comprehensive environmental impact study. It will be out on display by the board.”
Sunday Business Post
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 8 August 2008
Metro North light rail plan will go ahead, insists minister
THE massive €3.7bn Metro North project in Dublin will go ahead as planned, the Government has confirmed.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan met with the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) late last week and instructed the agency responsible for delivering the light-rail system to inform bidders that it would go ahead.
The move is designed so the four bidding parties seeking to build and operate the system submit the best possible price for delivering the light rail project, which will run from St Stephen's Green to north of Swords.
It comes after the Government has repeatedly refused to state if it will be shelved as a result of falling tax revenues and the economic downturn.
Last night the Department of Finance confirmed that the meeting between Mr Lenihan, the RPA's chairman Tom Mulcahy and chief executive Frank Allen took place last Thursday, but it refused to comment on what was discussed.
The RPA also refused to comment.
But informed sources have told the Irish Independent that the Government wanted to send out the message that the project, estimated to cost €3.7bn, would go ahead so the four bidders would submit the best price.
Message
"The meeting was to send a message to reassure the four consortia that the Government want a strong bid and for it (Metro North) to go ahead," one said.
"If we keep the four consortia interested, we get the best price. But as was always the case, it has to come back to the Cabinet for final sign-off. It was always envisaged that this would be the case."
Last week it emerged that a decision on whether Metro North would be approved will not be made until early next year.
Until the final cost of building the 17km line is known, the Cabinet will not approve funding.
In September the RPA, which has already spent €33m planning the project, will seek planning permission to build the line and the successful bidder which will design, build and operate the system, is not expected to be announced until November, after which it will negotiate with the RPA over a final price.
This process could run into early 2009.
Any delay to the project could have serious knock-on effects. The Ballymun Regeneration Scheme, expansion of Dublin Airport, development of a new town of 100,000 people in Swords and retail outlets, like Ikea, are all relying on the train route, and if it is put on the long finger it could send a signal that Ireland is not investing in infrastructure.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan met with the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) late last week and instructed the agency responsible for delivering the light-rail system to inform bidders that it would go ahead.
The move is designed so the four bidding parties seeking to build and operate the system submit the best possible price for delivering the light rail project, which will run from St Stephen's Green to north of Swords.
It comes after the Government has repeatedly refused to state if it will be shelved as a result of falling tax revenues and the economic downturn.
Last night the Department of Finance confirmed that the meeting between Mr Lenihan, the RPA's chairman Tom Mulcahy and chief executive Frank Allen took place last Thursday, but it refused to comment on what was discussed.
The RPA also refused to comment.
But informed sources have told the Irish Independent that the Government wanted to send out the message that the project, estimated to cost €3.7bn, would go ahead so the four bidders would submit the best price.
Message
"The meeting was to send a message to reassure the four consortia that the Government want a strong bid and for it (Metro North) to go ahead," one said.
"If we keep the four consortia interested, we get the best price. But as was always the case, it has to come back to the Cabinet for final sign-off. It was always envisaged that this would be the case."
Last week it emerged that a decision on whether Metro North would be approved will not be made until early next year.
Until the final cost of building the 17km line is known, the Cabinet will not approve funding.
In September the RPA, which has already spent €33m planning the project, will seek planning permission to build the line and the successful bidder which will design, build and operate the system, is not expected to be announced until November, after which it will negotiate with the RPA over a final price.
This process could run into early 2009.
Any delay to the project could have serious knock-on effects. The Ballymun Regeneration Scheme, expansion of Dublin Airport, development of a new town of 100,000 people in Swords and retail outlets, like Ikea, are all relying on the train route, and if it is put on the long finger it could send a signal that Ireland is not investing in infrastructure.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 16 May 2008
Rail chiefs offer €150,000 to new bridge designer
The Railway Procurement Agency is to offer a €150,000 prize to design a new bridge over Liffey Valley for Metro West, due to be open by 2014.
The bridge, which will display the "highest levels of design excellence", will carry the light rail system across the valley and must blend with the countryside.
The RPA said yesterday that some of the world's top architects had already expressed an interest in designing the bridge which will run almost parallel with the M50 motorway.
Metro West will run from Tallaght to Dublin Airport and link with Metro North at the Metropark stop, north of the M50.
The proposed route crosses the Liffey Valley, which is an area renowned for its wealth of ecological, archaeological and high amenity landscape value, the RPA said.
"This new Liffey Bridge for Metro West should be designed to make a prominent, yet still aesthetically pleasing addition to the Liffey Valley whilst enabling views across the Liffey to be maintained as far as possible," a spokesman said.
PAUL MELIA
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The bridge, which will display the "highest levels of design excellence", will carry the light rail system across the valley and must blend with the countryside.
The RPA said yesterday that some of the world's top architects had already expressed an interest in designing the bridge which will run almost parallel with the M50 motorway.
Metro West will run from Tallaght to Dublin Airport and link with Metro North at the Metropark stop, north of the M50.
The proposed route crosses the Liffey Valley, which is an area renowned for its wealth of ecological, archaeological and high amenity landscape value, the RPA said.
"This new Liffey Bridge for Metro West should be designed to make a prominent, yet still aesthetically pleasing addition to the Liffey Valley whilst enabling views across the Liffey to be maintained as far as possible," a spokesman said.
PAUL MELIA
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 13 August 2007
City shop plan 'may increase Luas crashes'
THE Railway Procurement Agency has warned that the proposed €750m redevelopment of Arnott's department store could lead to an increase in traffic accidents involving Luas and cars.
The RPA has also warned An Bord Pleanala of a "significantly increased" possibility that delays to services will occur because of car-parking arrangements in the proposed Northern Quarter scheme.
An Post has also objected to the plans, saying that elements of the proposal for Dublin's north inner city would effectively put the GPO "beyond reasonable use".
Concerns
The concerns are included in eight objections sent to the board after Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the project last month.
It is proposed to create a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone on a 5.5-acre site, and the objections raised relate to building height and design and the impact five years of construction would have on businesses.
The buildings range in size from three to 12 storeys, with a 15-storey tower at the corner of Abbey Street and Liffey Street.
In a letter to the board, the RPA says it was "denied its right" as a public body to comment on Arnott's plans.
It argues that a decision to include access and egress to the development's car park via Middle Abbey Street, instead of via an alternative access point at O'Connell Street, was a "material change" and it should have been consulted.
It also says that over 600 car parking spaces would be in close proximity to "perhaps the greatest concentration of public transport services in the State" and that the new quarter should encourage people to use buses and Luas.
If the sole means of accessing Arnott's is via Abbey Street, it warns: "The potential for delays to trams is significantly increased and the level of service for tram operations substantially diminished.
"The provision of a carpark entry off Middle Abbey Street in addition to an exit at the same location, coupled with increases in usage, will lead to delays for road traffic. RPA is gravely concerned that the effect of these delays will be such as to encourage driver misbehaviour at the car park access location, with the potential for conflict with Luas trams."
The agency said yesterday it had submitted observations because of its concern about the car park, and because this conflicted with government policy to take cars off the streets.
Conflict
"The provision of car parking has gone up, and that's a conflict with removing cars off the streets," a spokesman said. "We're carrying one fifth of what Dublin Bus carries with 26m passengers, and that points to a real need to keep the priority going for Luas."
An Post says plans for a "new" Prince's Street with service entrances would encroach on its property and "effectively put the An Post building beyond reasonable use". An Bord Pleanala will decide by December if the scheme will be granted permission.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
The RPA has also warned An Bord Pleanala of a "significantly increased" possibility that delays to services will occur because of car-parking arrangements in the proposed Northern Quarter scheme.
An Post has also objected to the plans, saying that elements of the proposal for Dublin's north inner city would effectively put the GPO "beyond reasonable use".
Concerns
The concerns are included in eight objections sent to the board after Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the project last month.
It is proposed to create a new shopping, entertainment and residential zone on a 5.5-acre site, and the objections raised relate to building height and design and the impact five years of construction would have on businesses.
The buildings range in size from three to 12 storeys, with a 15-storey tower at the corner of Abbey Street and Liffey Street.
In a letter to the board, the RPA says it was "denied its right" as a public body to comment on Arnott's plans.
It argues that a decision to include access and egress to the development's car park via Middle Abbey Street, instead of via an alternative access point at O'Connell Street, was a "material change" and it should have been consulted.
It also says that over 600 car parking spaces would be in close proximity to "perhaps the greatest concentration of public transport services in the State" and that the new quarter should encourage people to use buses and Luas.
If the sole means of accessing Arnott's is via Abbey Street, it warns: "The potential for delays to trams is significantly increased and the level of service for tram operations substantially diminished.
"The provision of a carpark entry off Middle Abbey Street in addition to an exit at the same location, coupled with increases in usage, will lead to delays for road traffic. RPA is gravely concerned that the effect of these delays will be such as to encourage driver misbehaviour at the car park access location, with the potential for conflict with Luas trams."
The agency said yesterday it had submitted observations because of its concern about the car park, and because this conflicted with government policy to take cars off the streets.
Conflict
"The provision of car parking has gone up, and that's a conflict with removing cars off the streets," a spokesman said. "We're carrying one fifth of what Dublin Bus carries with 26m passengers, and that points to a real need to keep the priority going for Luas."
An Post says plans for a "new" Prince's Street with service entrances would encroach on its property and "effectively put the An Post building beyond reasonable use". An Bord Pleanala will decide by December if the scheme will be granted permission.
Paul Melia
Irish Independent
Sunday, 6 May 2007
Rail turf war row may delay new Luas line
A KEY element of the government's transport plans for Dublin, the proposed Luas line between O'Connell Street and the Maynooth railway line, may be delayed due to a land dispute between CIE, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and the Department of Transport.
CIE and the RPA are fighting for control of a disused railway line running from the former Broadstone railway station in Phibsborough to the Maynooth line.
The line is owned by CIE but, under the government's Transport 21 strategy, it is to be transferred to the RPA so it can build the Luas line.
However, Irish Rail, a subsidiary of CIE, has now put forward a rival scheme for the land, which would see the reopening of the line.
The RPA and the Department of Transport are determined to proceed with the Luas scheme however and have refused to rule out serving a compulsory purchase order on CIE for the line.
An RPA spokesman said that the agency did not need CIE's approval to build the line. "The RPA is not part of the CIE group and applies to An Bord Pleanala for powers to construct, operate and maintain lines, " he said.
CIE has denied that Irish Rail's proposal is designed to block the Luas line proposal. "It is about meeting future demand and ensuring we have a network that has the capacity and flexibility to ensure we can do that, " said a spokesman.
"We envisage that Broadstone would be a terminus for Navan commuter services. It would also facilitate pre-Interconnector service expansion for the Maynooth line."
He said that Irish Rail will submit a business case for the project to the department in the near future. He said that the line would cost between 30 million and 40 million to reopen and services could begin as early as 2010 if the government approved its plan.
However, a spokeswoman for the department said that it would not approve CIE's scheme. "The Luas line has already been decided for the project and that will not be changed, " she said.
She declined to answer questions about whether the dispute revealed a lack of coordination between the transport agencies under the department's remit.
A spokesman for national railway user group, Platform 11, which represents Luas and rail passengers, said the dispute was a "turf war" in which passengers would lose out.
"In this case, it's clear that the Luas link delivers more than a railway would. It could have more stops and bring people right into the centre of town, " he said.
Sunday Tribune
CIE and the RPA are fighting for control of a disused railway line running from the former Broadstone railway station in Phibsborough to the Maynooth line.
The line is owned by CIE but, under the government's Transport 21 strategy, it is to be transferred to the RPA so it can build the Luas line.
However, Irish Rail, a subsidiary of CIE, has now put forward a rival scheme for the land, which would see the reopening of the line.
The RPA and the Department of Transport are determined to proceed with the Luas scheme however and have refused to rule out serving a compulsory purchase order on CIE for the line.
An RPA spokesman said that the agency did not need CIE's approval to build the line. "The RPA is not part of the CIE group and applies to An Bord Pleanala for powers to construct, operate and maintain lines, " he said.
CIE has denied that Irish Rail's proposal is designed to block the Luas line proposal. "It is about meeting future demand and ensuring we have a network that has the capacity and flexibility to ensure we can do that, " said a spokesman.
"We envisage that Broadstone would be a terminus for Navan commuter services. It would also facilitate pre-Interconnector service expansion for the Maynooth line."
He said that Irish Rail will submit a business case for the project to the department in the near future. He said that the line would cost between 30 million and 40 million to reopen and services could begin as early as 2010 if the government approved its plan.
However, a spokeswoman for the department said that it would not approve CIE's scheme. "The Luas line has already been decided for the project and that will not be changed, " she said.
She declined to answer questions about whether the dispute revealed a lack of coordination between the transport agencies under the department's remit.
A spokesman for national railway user group, Platform 11, which represents Luas and rail passengers, said the dispute was a "turf war" in which passengers would lose out.
"In this case, it's clear that the Luas link delivers more than a railway would. It could have more stops and bring people right into the centre of town, " he said.
Sunday Tribune
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