27 July 2010 – The President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Paul Mallee, has welcomed the Government’s commitment to the prioritisation of Metro North and Dart Underground as outlined in yesterday’s new Infrastructure Investment Priorities, plan.

Mr Mallee said the delivery of these two major projects would transform transport in the capital city and would promote the modal shift from private vehicles to higher capacity public transport options that are required to reduce congestion in Dublin city centre.

However, Mr Mallee said that the postponement of other key rail projects such as the Navan railway line and the Western Rail Corridor were disappointing, if understandable given the major economic downturn of recent years.

Mr Mallee said, “The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport wholeheartedly welcomes the renewed commitment to Metro North and Dart Underground, and hopes that this development will end the uncertainty regarding the future of these projects.

“It is incumbent on Government and the relevant transport agencies now to expedite the bidding and planning processes to allow these two projects to be delivered as quickly as possible.

“At the same time, it is regrettable that the Navan rail line and the Western Rail Corridor, in particular, have been postponed. These two projects have been long promised and there is considerable support for them at local level. While we all recognise the need to prioritise those projects that will have maximum national benefit, I hope that the postponement of these regional projects is only short term.”

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