Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
external markets. It is also vital that the workforce has access to reliable and efficient means
of transport which is environmentally sustainable.
To this effect the government has allocated €32.9 billion to the further development of
transportation infrastructure over the next seven years; €17.6 billion to the road network, and
€12.9 billion to public transport. Key objectives of the NDP 2007 - 2013 are directly related to
the development of infrastructure in South Dublin, which the proposed scheme must be
cognisant of;
• To deliver a radically upgraded public transport system in line with the timetable in
Transport 21 especially in the Greater Dublin Area, but with significant impacts in other
areas;
• To invest in the development of the strategic non-national roads which will complement
the national roads investment;
• Phased development of the Metro West line.
2.4 National Spatial Strategy 2002 – 2020 7
The National Spatial Strategy is a twenty year planning framework with the aim of achieving
a greater balance of social, economic and physical development and population growth
between regions, resulting in an improved quality of life for the island's inhabitants, a strong,
competitive economic position and a high quality environment.
The NSS recognises that much of Ireland's recent prosperity has been generated within the
Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and that Dublin's role in the economic well being of the country
remains pivotal. The strategy states that it is essential for balanced regional development, the
performance of the Greater Dublin Area is built upon, so that its success, competitiveness and
national role are sustained into the future.
It is essential to the NSS that Dublin can maintain and improve its European and world
competitiveness in attracting investment and encouraging people to live in the city area. The
continuing economic health of the Greater Dublin Area is critically dependent on a number of
factors notably the continued development of its transportation infrastructure. It is essential
that a fully integrated and sustainable transportation network facilitates the Dublin Area to
provide greater and more efficient access on a regional and national scale.
2.5 Strategic Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 1999 8
The unprecedented economic development of Dublin City and the surrounding counties in
recent years has had a profound impact on the Greater Dublin Area, bringing significant
benefits in terms of employment and higher standards of living. An important manifestation of
economic growth is the physical development necessary for that growth, which in recent years
has placed great pressure on resources, the environment, on infrastructure, services and
facilities of the Greater Dublin Area.
Aware that the problems in the Greater Dublin Area were intensifying, and for the creation of
practical solutions to meet the requirements of future development, the local authorities of
Dublin and surrounding counties and regional authorities together with other statutory
interests produced an agreed planning and development framework that:
• addresses the established needs of the present;
• provides for anticipated trends in population and economic activity to 2011;
• manages the resources of the area in a sustainable way; and
• offers an environmental vision for the future.
December 2007 Page 9