The Academy welcomed the publication of the draft for consultation “as a significant contribution to the development of a sustainable future public transport network for the Island”.  The Academy prepared a submission based on inputs from Academy members across the island. The Academy’s submission makes a number of suggestions, observations and recommendations, including:

• The current Review should feed into an All-Island Strategic Transport Review looking at all modes of transport, not just rail.
• The Academy supports investment in and development of rail infrastructure where it delivers sustainable and cost-effective solutions;
• The rail interventions in the Strategic Review need to be appraised from an economic and environmental perspective with particular attention paid to realistic capital cost estimates as well as realistic forecast trip rates;
• An all-island multi-modal freight study should be undertaken;
• A strategy in relation to rail electrification is needed;
• A DART Underground solution between Heuston and Spencer Dock in Dublin should be revisited;
• Benefits could be achieved by developing large Park & Rise facilities connected to motorway junctions and new or redeveloped rail/bus stations;
• Existing infrastructure improvement and quick wins (subject to economic and environmental appraisal) should be progressed as early as possible; these could include but are not limited to:
  • Online improvements to increase train speeds and service times on routes such as Dublin-Cork/Limerick and Dublin–Belfast;
  • Selective four tracking on the approaches to Dublin and Belfast;
  • Double tracking sections of single track subject to economic/environmental appraisal.