An engineer who is proposing an alternative integrated rail transportation system for Dublin has said it will apply for a railway order to build the system if the Government fails to consider its plans.
Under the detailed plans, known as the Dargan project, a new "half-circle" line would be added to existing rail tracks which surround the city to form a complete "circle line" around Dublin.
The new section of the proposed "circle line" would link the Docklands area with Heuston Station. Separately, two new "radial" lines would allow passengers to travel directly from Templeogue to Dublin airport, and would intersect with the circle line.
The plans, which envisage a mix of underground and overground railway track and which, it is claimed, could be completed within 50 months, could also see stations built in prime locations such as Grafton Street/Dawson Street, Henry Street/Abbey Street and the Mater hospital.
It would allow quality bus corridors to feed into the system, according to its proponents. In total, there would be eight "radial" lines as well as a new full circle line under the plans.
Speaking after addressing a meeting of the Dublin City Council transport and traffic committee in City Hall yesterday, Cormac Rabbitt said he has held discussions with international investment firms about the possibility of funding the €2.6 billion estimated cost of the project.
While the recommendation would be for the proposals to be implemented directly by the State, Mr Rabbitt said that failing this, Dargan will make a direct application for a railway order to proceed with the development. He was confident of success with regard to any such application.
"I want the Government to instruct the Railway Procurement Agency to look at this seriously, otherwise I'll go ahead and apply for a railway order," he told The Irish Times. "I could go ahead and build a metro, in conjunction with my partners . . ."
Responding to questions from committee members, Mr Rabbitt said the Government had previously committed to open competition for construction of the proposed metro. But this had failed to come to pass, with the competition aspect "watered down", he said. Mr Rabbitt has presented details of the plans to the Oireachtas transport committee as well as to a Cabinet committee.
He said he was asking council members, as the "vision makers" for the city, to "put their stamp" on the proposals, in the hope that this would compel the Government to consider the plans. "You are building out from what you have . . . in return for your money, you're getting a huge network that actually integrates," he said.