PD senator says Metro, Dart must be linked

The new metro rail line to Dublin airport and Swords must be linked to the Dart line, the Progressive Democrats said today.

The party's transport spokesman, Senator Tom Morrissey, said it would be "crazy" to end the metro line in "mid-air" at Lissenhall, north of Swords, Co Dublin.

The line is currently in public consultation phase and will not come into service until 2012. There are four route options; the fourth option, which would incorporate the areas of Croke Park and DCU, was recently revealed by the Railway Procurement Agency.

A central route would operate via Glasnevin and Botanic Road and service DCU, an east route would go through Drumcondra and Santry, while the west route option would take in Cabra and Finglas. Members of the public have until June 30th to give their opinions.

But Mr Morrissey said today that whichever route is chosen must link up with the Dart line at Donabate, when the northern commuter rail line is upgraded to accommodate the electric trains as far as Balbriggan, Co Dublin. This is planned under the Government's Transport 21 strategy.

"It would be crazy not to effectively link the Metro and Dart with a spur between Lissenhall and Donabate. We must learn from past mistakes; for example, the failure to link the two Luas lines," he said.

"The over-riding principle must be integration, as this offers flexibility to the commuter and increased passenger numbers to the provider."