Madam, - In arguing the case for Metro North, which she calls "an essential infrastructure project", Cllr Anne Devitt (November 6th) is probably representing the views of the constituency she represents.
It could be argued, however, that at a time of scarce resources, Metro North is not essential at all. Extension of bus corridors and the purchase of many more buses could give a more immediate, and much cheaper solution, to the traffic problems of the area mentioned by Cllr Devitt. Am I right in saying that one of the existing bus corridors to the airport is not being used at all?
We need to reduce public spending. We need to learn from some of the fiascos of the past, which have contributed to our present problems, and not repeat them. In that context proposals to build a metro, which is going to be highly disruptive and give no return to the economy for years (if at all), seem foolish.
If resources were reallocated, for example, to the education of those in socially deprived areas throughout the country, the returns on the capital invested would be very much higher and the benefits would accrue much more quickly. - Yours, etc,