A substantial increase in the numbers of people using sustainable and active travel is among the primary objectives of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Transport Strategy published by NTA this week. 

The Strategy covers Dublin city and county as well as the counties of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The Draft of this Strategy was published for public consultation in 2021 and 1020 submissions were made as part of that process, reports the Dublin Gazette.

NTA is required under statute to review the GDA Transport Strategy every six years and this week’s document is a revision of the plan that was adopted by Government in 2016. This Strategy was approved by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan after last week’s Cabinet meeting.

Transport proposals the NTA is bringing forward, including an acceleration of investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, will also deliver substantial greenhouse gas reductions during the lifetime of this strategy, said the report.

Among the elements that have already been proposed and which are to be further progressed and delivered during the lifetime of this Strategy are:

• All elements of BusConnects Dublin
• Increased bus prioritisation on regional bus corridors
• Revised and enhanced GDA Cycle Network Plan
• Provision of high-quality pedestrian facilities and pedestrianised routes
• Next Generation Ticketing
• Luas extensions to Finglas, Lucan, Poolbeg and Bray
• 100km of electrified rail under DART+ Programme
• Metrolink from north of Swords to Charlemont

Newly-proposed plans in this Strategy include:

• Assessing the requirements for new Metro lines when updating the Strategy in six years, including previously considered options on the southside.
• The planning and design of a further eight Luas extensions/ new Luas lines to be ready for construction post 2042:
  • Luas to Clongriffin
  • Luas to Balgriffin             
  • Luas extension to Tyrellstown
  • Luas to Blanchardstown
  • Luas extension to Clondalkin
  • Luas to Tallaght / Kimmage
  • Luas to Tallaght / Knocklyon
  • Luas to UCD / Sandyford (reduces future passenger congestion on the Green Line in the future)

NTA Chief Executive Officer Anne Graham said: “With the planned completion of projects such as BusConnects, Metrolink, Luas extensions and Dart+, this Strategy has the potential to be truly transformative, not just for the city, but for the entire region.

“We want to provide more people with better public transport and active travel alternatives so that communities across the region can thrive and develop in a sustainable way in the years and decades ahead.

“NTA looks forward to working closely with the Government, local authorities, state agencies, transport operators and local residents in turning this ambitious Strategy into a reality.”

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said: “This is a really significant plan for the country’s capital and the surrounding counties. This new GDA Strategy when delivered will bring back the sort of comprehensive rail network we had at the start of the last century – but it will be cleaner, faster and better value for money.

“In the immediate term, it prioritises public transport and active travel – with aims to transform our bus network and service over the coming years, so that we can also achieve our climate ambitions. This is good plan for Dubliners. It’s a good plan for business and development, and it’s a good plan for the millions of visitors the city welcomes every year.”