Harcourt Street–Bray rail line reopening
Mac Giolla asked whether the old Harcourt Street–Bray line could be reopened as rail or busway, including in the National Development Plan, and raised population growth and the Shankill bypass. Wilson said the Government had shelved DART extensions over cost and directed CIÉ to plan using buses or diesel rail on existing lines; he noted the Environment Minister was considering the Harcourt Street–Dundrum section. Members pressed the case for easing traffic and asked whether it was in the plan sent to Europe, while Wilson did not confirm its inclusion.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if the Government have considered the possibility of reopening all or part of the old Harcourt Street-Bray railway line either as a rail line or busway and including such a project in the National Development Plan 1989-1993, especially in view of the population growth in its catchment area; if he has considered the implications of the Shankill by-pass on the possible reopening of the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
The Government decided in 1987 that proposals for the extension of DART should not be proceeded with because of the considerable costs involved and the state of the public finances, and that any proposals for further upgrading rail services in the greater Dublin area should be based on diesel rail on existing lines. As a consequence I requested the chairman of Córas Iompair Éireann to prepare public transport investment plans for the area involving only bus-based options or diesel rail on existing lines.
The transport investment plans for the greater Dublin area were submitted to me by Córas Iompair Éireann in August 1988. The plans favour the provision of a busway on the former Harcourt Street line and I understand that my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, is considering the possibility of such a development on the line between Harcourt Street and Dundrum. No doubt he will take into account any implications other developments in the area may have for a busway.
Comment on this
Would the Minister agree that the re-opening of the Harcourt Street line is crucial to the alleviation of severe traffic problems and that it should be expedited?
Comment on this
I agree that it is an interesting proposal. It is on the section between Harcourt Street and Dundrum that the Minister for the Environment is casting his appreciative eye.
Comment on this
Would the Minister say whether this proposal to consider the Harcourt Street line is included in the development plan sent to Europe? If not, we are not talking about it coming into existence between now and the end of the century.
Comment on this
I do not want to be discourteous. The Minister for the Environment assures me that he is considering the possibility of such a development on that part of the line between Harcourt Street and Dundrum, which is less than all the way.