Metro North timetable derailed

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) recently wrote to the four groups that have tendered for the multibillion-euro infrastructure project to inform them that An Bord Pleanála would not be in a position to give a decision on the railway order application until September 4th.

This is some six months behind the original estimate and means that the deadline for “best and final offers” from the shortlisted tenderers has been pushed back from December this year to February 2010.

Dublin must reform or decline, says study

DUBLIN MUST reform its transport, local government and enterprise agencies if it is to avoid stagnation, urban sprawl and a decade of under-achievement, according to influential Futures Academy.

A new report by the academy, which is based in the faculty of Built Environment at Dublin City University, predicts city regions will become the dominant economic and political forces, competing with each other globally.

Its report, Dublin at a Crossroads – Exploring the future of the Dublin City Region, presents three scenarios for Dublin and its east coast hinterland in the year 2030.

Metro North project questioned - report

THE CONSTRUCTION of Dublin’s controversial Metro North rail system will not guarantee maximum accessibility to Dublin airport.

Moreover, it will not ensure the airport’s future as a vital travel hub, a new planning report argues.
A Spatial Vision for Dublin was published yesterday at the Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club, by members of the Dublin City Business Association, which commissioned the report, and author Hendrik van der Kamp.
Although Metro North has been touted by the Government as central to Dublin’s economic development, speculation intensified at the beginning of the year that the project would be shelved due to an estimated cost of some €5 billion.

Ministers announce approval of first phase of regeneration

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, TD and the Minister for Housing and Local Services, Mr. Michael Finneran, TD announced the approval of the first phase of a planned three-phased regeneration of St. Michael’s Estate.

Exchequer funding for the social housing component of the first phase of the project of €7.8 million is being provided under the Social Housing Investment Programme.