Environmental activist and architect Duncan Stewart has voiced strong criticism against the €9.5 billion Metrolink rail project during a hearing with the An Bord Pleanála. Stewart, previous presenter of RTÉ’s Eco Eye, described the project as excessively costly, overly carbon-reliant and fundamentally defective.
In his view, the project was “rigid and isolated”, incapable of integration with existing rail frameworks. Stewart argued that the Metrolink project failed to address the pressing need for improved mobility for residents in Dublin nor would it persuade long-distance commuters to abandon their cars, despite its substantial costs.
Stewart, a significant climate change advocate who was granted Freedom of the City of Dublin, was not originally planned to speak at the hearing but was invited by the Association of Combined Residents Associations (ACRA) group on the penultimate day.
ACRA is endorsing a transportation blueprint presented by Tom Newton, a long-time analyst of Dublin’s transport system. Newton’s proposal would swap the underground rail line with a Dart system stretching from Donabate to Glasnevin, catering to Swords, Dublin Airport and Ballymun. This line would then intersect with other routes to Belfast, Sligo, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford at the Cross Guns Bridge in Glasnevin.
Stewart voiced his backing for Newton’s alternative solution, citing underground rail construction as a significant contributor to carbon emissions – 27 times higher than an equivalent above-ground rail line. According to Stewart, this contradicts Ireland’s pledge towards cutting carbon emissions.
He pointed to the proposed Metrolink tunnel as a particular issue, as the extensive scale of its construction would result in massive embodied carbon emissions. Additionally, the design of the metro rails doesn’t align with the rest of the country’s rail system, further inhibiting its potential to encourage citizens to leave their cars at home.
“The enormous and unprecedented budget necessary for the Metrolink project, led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is proving to be a significant problem,” was the main sentiment expressed. There is profound concern about the staggering €9.5 billion projected cost of the Metrolink project. This unequaled and disproportionate allotment of State capital for what is seen as an extraordinarily expensive, carbon-intensive project is, it’s argued, the primary problem for An Bord Pleanála to review.
Mr Stewart expressed his doubts about the project proceeding, owing to environmental worries and conflicts with current railway systems. However, should it proceed, he argues that the state should not fund it, instead suggesting the costs be shouldered by the airport authority and airlines, being the main beneficiaries.
He expressed regret for feeling the need to state that he holds the opinion that, fundamentally, the project is deeply flawed.
Representing TII, Dr Ronan Hallissey stated that significantly larger dimensions would be necessary for the tunnel if a redesign was to accommodate the heavy rail network gauge. Besides, ge argued, it wouldn’t be practical to allow trains from cities like Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford access to the tunnel for operational reasons.
On the other hand, Dr Avril Challoner, an environmental specialist working with TII, countered by praising the Metrolink as a “gold star” project for its commitment to carbon emissions reduction. She highlighted that the Metrolink would entirely rely on renewable sources for its energy needs once it’s operational.