1. Introduction
Introduction and Context
This Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 (Transport Strategy) replaces the previous strategy, which was approved by the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2016.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act, the National Transport Authority (NTA) must review its transport strategy every 6 years. Arising from the review of the 2016 plan, this updated strategy sets out the framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades to 2042.
A transport strategy must fully reflect its wider context comprising policies and objectives related to land use, development, population distribution, investment, sustainability and climate action, which are determined by other state agencies and authorities. As such, this Transport Strategy has been developed to be consistent with the spatial planning policies and objectives set out in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES), as adopted by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, which is itself consistent with the National Planning Framework and the updated National Development Plan as set out in Project Ireland 2040. This Transport Strategy is also based on national policies on sustainability including those set out in climate action and low carbon legislation, and in climate action plans. The potential impacts of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, beyond the short-term, have also been taken into account.
Since the prior transport strategy was approved the NTA has worked hard with a range of other stakeholders to build and develop that strategy’s projects and proposals. Major progress in the last four years includes:
- Luas Cross City and Green Line Capacity Enhancement;
- Opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel, 10-minute all-day DART frequency and upgrade of the city centre railway signalling system;
- Significant multi-million Euro investment in Walking and Cycling, including under Covid-19 and Stimulus programmes in 2020;
- Enlarged bus fleet, increased investment in the rural Local Link programme, Real Time Passenger Information and, most significantly, the BusConnects programme;
- Improved inter-agency integration at a strategic level and through the planning process; and
- Continued evolution of the strategic road network.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) must review its transport strategy every 6 years. Arising from the review of the 2016 plan, an updated strategy has been developed which sets out the framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades to 2042.
Of course no transport strategy can ever be a standalone document. A transport strategy will always be part of a larger picture of overall national policies that must work towards a single set of overall objectives. To a large extent, policies and objectives around issues such as land use, development, population distribution, investment, sustainability and climate action, for example, are determined by other state agencies and authorities, but must be fully reflected in any transport strategy.
As such, this Transport Strategy has been developed to be consistent with the spatial planning policies and objectives set out in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) as adopted by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, and fi nalised in January 2020. These objectives in turn are consistent with the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan as set out in Project Ireland 2040.
This Transport Strategy is also based on national policies on sustainability as set out in climate action and low carbon legislation, and in climate action plans. The potential impacts of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, beyond the short-term, have also been taken into account.