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Action group urges caution on massive plans

Wednesday, 04 June 2008

A NORTH county Dublin action group has urged caution in relation to massive plans to develop a new city around the proposed Metro North line.
A report launched by Fingal County Council last Monday week (May 26) outlined how the Metro North region from Santry to north of Swords will double its level of economic activity and increase its population to 128,000 over the next 20 years.
However, the Swords Electoral Boundary Action Group, which is campaigning against moves to split the main Fingal town into two separate constituencies, has stressed that plans should only go ahead with Swords remaining in one constituency.
The action group has argued that if plans to divide Swords between Dublin North and Dublin West are ratified in the Dáil in the coming weeks, it will leave the town open to bad planning and result in a disaster for residents living in the area.
David Gibney, chairperson of the Swords Electoral Boundary Action Group, said now was probably the most important period the town will encounter with regard to planning and growth in the area.
“In order for the area to grow in a cohesive and coherent manner, Swords should operate as one entity,” Mr Gibney declared.
“Dividing the town in two will not benefit anybody, least of all the residents and businesses in the area.”
Meanwhile, Fingal County Council said it hopes to deliver a fundamentally changed vision for the development of the area as an Airport City Region. This will coincide with the delivery of major infrastructure investment under Transport 21, including Metro North and the expanded Dublin Airport.
An economic development strategy for the Metro North Economic Corridor (MNEC) commissioned by the council has also predicted that employment levels in the area will double to a new high of 66,700.
Speaking at the launch, Fingal County Manager David O’Connor outlined how the publication of the strategy was very timely, as he said decisions would need to be made now on where the development of the metro corridor will go in the future.
“Metro brings with it an unprecedented opportunity for Fingal and the Dublin region as a whole,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This strategy is far reaching, comprehensive and action specific, and in covering the next 20 years, it sets out a plan that will ensure the MNEC’s success and attractiveness as a prime international investment location.”
The massive increase in population in the area will be nothing new to Fingal, as it demonstrated one of the fastest national population growth rates in the 2006 census with an increase of 22 per cent in four years.
Fingal also has one of the lowest age profiles of any county in Ireland and has the largest proportion of children in the State.
Mr O’Connor said huge challenges lie ahead for Fingal, not least among them capitalising on the arrival of Metro North and creating sufficient job opportunities for the county’s expanding and more affluent population.
“The unique age profile of our population further compounds the need for new and substantial employment opportunities,” Mr O’Connor added.
“Facing greater challenges focuses our efforts to plan for a sustainable and economically secure future.”

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