Dublin’s airport MetroLink enquiry has head concerns by commuter groups about the lack of toilets and bike-parking facilities at MetroLink stations, with only five out of the 15 stations planned to have toilets and insufficient bike-parking spaces at most stations.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) defended the limited toilet provision, citing that most metro systems worldwide follow a similar design where toilets are not available at every station due to the short nature of journeys.
The Dublin Commuter Coalition expressed concerns about the inconvenience caused by the lack of toilets, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue from the start to avoid future retrofits like those seen in London.
The Dublin Cycling Campaign highlighted the inadequate bike-parking facilities at MetroLink stations, with some stations falling significantly short of the anticipated demand. Suggestions were made to explore two-tier bike parks and utilize nearby building basement space for additional bike-parking capacity. The planning hearing on MetroLink is set to conclude soon, with submissions to be reviewed by An Bord Pleanála inspectors. Architect and environmentalist Duncan Stewart criticised the project during a Dublin city planning hearing, expressing concerns about its high cost, limited impact, and excessive carbon emissions.
Stewart supported an alternative plan called the ‘Newton Transport Plan’ proposed by amateur planner Tom Newton, which includes reorganising city center buses on a contraflow route along the quays, extending the Luas ring around the south of the city, and implementing a ‘Metro Dart’ extension of the Dart line starting at Donabate.
He said Newton’s plan, estimated to cost €2 billion, is seen as a more efficient and cost-effective solution compared to the projected €7.2bn-€12.3bn for MetroLink, with Stewart highlighting the environmental benefits and nationwide impact of Newton’s proposal.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland defended MetroLink, emphasising its connectivity with other projects and interchange stations.
