The National Transport Authority (NTA) received notification of planning approval by An Bord Pleanála in 2024 for the Swords to City Centre Scheme. The Swords to City Scheme is part of the BusConnects Dublin programme, a key element of the Government’s policy to improve public transport and address climate change. The objectives of the Scheme include provision of necessary bus, cycle, and walking infrastructure enhancements that will facilitate modal shift from car dependency contributing to an efficient, low carbon and climate resilient City.
It will commence south of Swords at the Pinnock Hill Junction, travelling in a southerly direction along the R132 Swords Road past Airside Retail Park, Dublin Airport and Santry Park. The route will continue on the R132 past Santry Demesne, where the Swords Road joins the R104 at Coolock Lane. The route will continue on the R132 in a southerly direction through Santry village. It will continue along the Swords Road past Whitehall to Griffith Avenue. The route will follow Drumcondra Road Upper past the DCU St Patrick’s Campus to the river Tolka. It will continue through Drumcondra, on Drumcondra Road Lower to Binns Bridge on the Royal Canal. From there it will continue on Dorset Street Lower as far as Eccles Street, from where it will continue on Dorset Street Upper to North Frederick Street.
Inbound buses will continue southeast on North Frederick Street and Parnell Square East until the route finishes at Parnell Street. Outbound, the route will travel north-east from Parnell Street, past the Rotunda Hospital, along Parnell Square West and Granby Row until it will join with Dorset Street Upper.
Construction Stage:
Subject to completion of various processes, the NTA will now further develop the construction sequencing of the schemes taking account of approvals received, along with documentation to allow procurement to commence for the construction stage. It is expected that all twelve corridors will be completed in 2030 with the first construction contracts to be awarded in mid 2025 with on-site construction to commence in the second half of the year. The construction of the corridors will be delivered on a phased basis in order to reduce the traffic impacts that could arise should all twelve be constructed concurrently. In the coming months, detailed communication arrangements for the construction phase will be developed to ensure that residents, community groups, businesses and public representatives are kept fully informed and have access to relevant liaison personnel during the delivery of the Scheme.
More information on the Swords to City Centre Core Bus Corridor Scheme is available on the statutory planning application website at the following link www.swordsscheme.ie
The appropriate assessment screening and determination reports are available to download below.