DUBLIN’S CROSS-CITY Luas line linking the existing red and green lines could be completed ahead of the 1916 centenary celebrations if there was “timely Government approval” of the project, An Bord Pleanála has heard.
A public planning hearing on the railway order for the “missing link” between the two Luas lines began yesterday, although there is no current Government commitment to fund the project.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar last month said only one of the “big three” transport projects – Metro North, Dart Underground and the Luas interconnector – would go ahead in the next five years. A decision on which project would succeed would be made next September.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) told the hearing it had received recent confirmation from the National Transportation Authority that, due to finances, the three projects would not be implemented simultaneously.
Michael Sheedy, the RPA’s director of light rail, said it was not, therefore, possible to give timing of the implementation of the Luas project.
The RPA was aware it was the Government’s intention to decide in the autumn which project would be selected, but if Luas was chosen to proceed at an early date the line could be finished before 2016, avoiding conflict with the Rising commemorations.
The proposed 5.6km line, to be called Luas Broombridge, would run from the terminus of the green line at St Stephen’s Green through the city centre, via Dawson Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Street, where it would connect to the red line.
It then would run northwest to Broadstone, Grangegorman and Phibsboro via the disused midland railway line before terminating at Broombridge Station in Cabra. On its return the line would bypass O’Connell Street and use Marlborough Street to access a new Liffey bridge to Hawkins Street, before meeting back with the northbound line at College Green.
The line would initially have 13 stops, with a 14th planned for Grangegorman once the DIT campus has relocated to the former mental hospital site. The route has also been designed to allow an extension to Finglas.
The construction of Metro North, which is also under the remit of the RPA, was not a suitable or cost-effective solution to linking the existing Luas lines, Mr Sheedy said. Although the metro is also intended to run from St Stephen’s Green across the city, it would not provide the same degree of “city centre permeability”.
A property owners’ protection scheme would not be put in place for the Luas construction phase because no structural damage to property was envisaged, RPA contracts manager Ciaran Browne told the hearing. The construction work would be similar to normal road and utility works, and it was the RPA’s experience on previous Luas projects that there was no structural damage to buildings, Mr Browne said.
An Bord Pleanála sent 91 letters to those who made objections to or submissions on the Luas line, inviting them to attend the hearing. Fewer than 20 parties attended the opening of the hearing yesterday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label luas planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label luas planning. Show all posts
Thursday, 26 May 2011
RPA says building cross-city Luas line will not hurt businesses
THE CONSTRUCTION work for Dublin’s cross-city Luas line would have an insignificant or “no effect” on city centre businesses, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has claimed.
Metro North, which is also an RPA project, would have significantly greater impact on the operation of businesses during its construction phase, a Bord Pleanála hearing on the proposed Luas line was told.
The Luas Broombridge, which would provide the “missing link” through the city centre between the existing red and green Luas lines, would have long-term benefits for businesses greatly outweighing any impact of construction, Simon Clear, a town planner engaged by the RPA, said.
“In a city over 1,000 years in existence and which has continuously evolved, developed and changed over that time, the building period is relatively insignificant,” he said.
Mr Clear, a former senior inspector with An Bord Pleanála, said it was accepted that constant development maintenance repair and renewal was a normal part of the functioning of a city. There would be “inevitable physical impacts” during construction.
Accessibility to some businesses may be reduced, there could be a decrease in passing trade due to temporary fencing and pedestrian diversions, and deliveries may be disrupted because of the temporary relocation of loading bays.
However he said there would be no effect on businesses on O’Connell Street, while access to businesses on other streets would be maintained at all times.
“While it is acknowledged that for some businesses close to works there will be some – albeit insignificant – effects, for most businesses there will be no effects.”
The construction of Luas Broombridge would have a less significant impact on businesses than the metro construction at St Stephen’s Green and at Westmoreland Street.
“A very significant structure is permitted at Westmoreland Street in conjunction with Metro North, more so affecting the west side of the street than Luas Broombridge.”
The planning hearing continues at the Gresham Hotel Dublin.
The proposed 5.6km line Luas line would run from the terminus of the green line at St Stephen’s Green through the city centre, via Dawson Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Street, where it would connect to the red line.
It then would run northwest to Broadstone, Grangegorman and Phibsboro via the disused midland railway line before terminating at Broombridge Station in Cabra.
On its return, the line would bypass O’Connell Street and use Marlborough Street to access a new Liffey bridge to Hawkins Street, before meeting back with the northbound line at College Green.
The line would initially have 13 stops, with a 14th planned for Grangegorman once the DIT campus has relocated to the former mental hospital site. The route has also been designed to allow an extension to Finglas.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Metro North, which is also an RPA project, would have significantly greater impact on the operation of businesses during its construction phase, a Bord Pleanála hearing on the proposed Luas line was told.
The Luas Broombridge, which would provide the “missing link” through the city centre between the existing red and green Luas lines, would have long-term benefits for businesses greatly outweighing any impact of construction, Simon Clear, a town planner engaged by the RPA, said.
“In a city over 1,000 years in existence and which has continuously evolved, developed and changed over that time, the building period is relatively insignificant,” he said.
Mr Clear, a former senior inspector with An Bord Pleanála, said it was accepted that constant development maintenance repair and renewal was a normal part of the functioning of a city. There would be “inevitable physical impacts” during construction.
Accessibility to some businesses may be reduced, there could be a decrease in passing trade due to temporary fencing and pedestrian diversions, and deliveries may be disrupted because of the temporary relocation of loading bays.
However he said there would be no effect on businesses on O’Connell Street, while access to businesses on other streets would be maintained at all times.
“While it is acknowledged that for some businesses close to works there will be some – albeit insignificant – effects, for most businesses there will be no effects.”
The construction of Luas Broombridge would have a less significant impact on businesses than the metro construction at St Stephen’s Green and at Westmoreland Street.
“A very significant structure is permitted at Westmoreland Street in conjunction with Metro North, more so affecting the west side of the street than Luas Broombridge.”
The planning hearing continues at the Gresham Hotel Dublin.
The proposed 5.6km line Luas line would run from the terminus of the green line at St Stephen’s Green through the city centre, via Dawson Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Street, where it would connect to the red line.
It then would run northwest to Broadstone, Grangegorman and Phibsboro via the disused midland railway line before terminating at Broombridge Station in Cabra.
On its return, the line would bypass O’Connell Street and use Marlborough Street to access a new Liffey bridge to Hawkins Street, before meeting back with the northbound line at College Green.
The line would initially have 13 stops, with a 14th planned for Grangegorman once the DIT campus has relocated to the former mental hospital site. The route has also been designed to allow an extension to Finglas.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Rail agency defends use of overhead cables in city centre
OVERHEAD CABLES used to power trams in Dublin city centre were once an integral part of European streetscapes and could be reintroduced without overly damaging architectural set-pieces, a planning inquiry has been told.
The Railway Procurement Agency said yesterday that overhead cables had been sensitively installed in a number of European cities including Strasbourg, the centre of which is a Unesco world heritage site. The agency is seeking permission from An Bord Pleanála to build a city centre Luas line linking St Stephen’s Green with Broombridge via Dawson Street, College Green and O’Connell Street.
Chief architect with the agency Anne Kiernan told the inquiry the Dublin tram system of the late 19th and early 20th centuries utilised poles, which exemplified the style of that period. Ms Kiernan said the agency had considered the full length of the line, from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge, from an architectural viewpoint.
It had come up with a mix of solutions involving the overhead power supply fixed to adjacent buildings where streets were narrow, and supporting poles in a modern design – often integrated with lighting and other street furniture – where space allowed.
Ms Kiernan, who said she was also qualified in construction management and legal studies, said where architecturally sensitive buildings were encountered, a “cradle system” would be used to achieve “the longest possible span” without supporting poles, to minimise visual intrusion.
In relation to College Green, she said such a “cradle” system would be used to preserve the view of the facade of Trinity College, while keeping supporting poles a maximum distance apart.
Poles are proposed at the colonnaded facade of the Bank of Ireland, in a similar position to those used by the original tram line on the street.
Ms Kiernan said photomontages indicated “very minimal impact at this location which results from the careful consideration of the number and sighting of the poles”.
A similar cradle system would be used for the area north of Fusilier’s Arch at St Stephen’s Green, which would provide a view of the arch from Grafton Street which would be free of poles.
Outside the GPO, the design for the overhead power supply has been integrated with proposals for lighting, trees and changes to the median space. It is also proposed to use cantilevered poles and another cradle to minimise visual intrusion.
Ms Kiernan said she believed the introduction of the tram line would offer an opportunity to “significantly improve” the quality of the public realm along the route and she would be making a submission on this in due course.
However, proposals for the Luas extension have been criticised by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman, among others. He told the inquiry the State would be in breach of European legislation if it granted permission for the line. He said the European Court of Justice had found that Irish legislation in relation to environmental impact assessments was flawed.
“This hearing, in not taking into account recent European Court decisions, is acting illegally. The court clearly found Irish legislation on what constitutes an assessment was insufficient.”
Mr Sweetman later told The Irish Times his argument was that environmental impact “statements” that were accepted under Irish legislation were not sufficient to meet the requirement for an environmental “assessment” under European legislation.
He also claimed it was wrong that parts of the application to the board were for a 15-year permit. He said this would “sterilise” the land with no commitment from Government that the line would even be built.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Railway Procurement Agency said yesterday that overhead cables had been sensitively installed in a number of European cities including Strasbourg, the centre of which is a Unesco world heritage site. The agency is seeking permission from An Bord Pleanála to build a city centre Luas line linking St Stephen’s Green with Broombridge via Dawson Street, College Green and O’Connell Street.
Chief architect with the agency Anne Kiernan told the inquiry the Dublin tram system of the late 19th and early 20th centuries utilised poles, which exemplified the style of that period. Ms Kiernan said the agency had considered the full length of the line, from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge, from an architectural viewpoint.
It had come up with a mix of solutions involving the overhead power supply fixed to adjacent buildings where streets were narrow, and supporting poles in a modern design – often integrated with lighting and other street furniture – where space allowed.
Ms Kiernan, who said she was also qualified in construction management and legal studies, said where architecturally sensitive buildings were encountered, a “cradle system” would be used to achieve “the longest possible span” without supporting poles, to minimise visual intrusion.
In relation to College Green, she said such a “cradle” system would be used to preserve the view of the facade of Trinity College, while keeping supporting poles a maximum distance apart.
Poles are proposed at the colonnaded facade of the Bank of Ireland, in a similar position to those used by the original tram line on the street.
Ms Kiernan said photomontages indicated “very minimal impact at this location which results from the careful consideration of the number and sighting of the poles”.
A similar cradle system would be used for the area north of Fusilier’s Arch at St Stephen’s Green, which would provide a view of the arch from Grafton Street which would be free of poles.
Outside the GPO, the design for the overhead power supply has been integrated with proposals for lighting, trees and changes to the median space. It is also proposed to use cantilevered poles and another cradle to minimise visual intrusion.
Ms Kiernan said she believed the introduction of the tram line would offer an opportunity to “significantly improve” the quality of the public realm along the route and she would be making a submission on this in due course.
However, proposals for the Luas extension have been criticised by environmental campaigner Peter Sweetman, among others. He told the inquiry the State would be in breach of European legislation if it granted permission for the line. He said the European Court of Justice had found that Irish legislation in relation to environmental impact assessments was flawed.
“This hearing, in not taking into account recent European Court decisions, is acting illegally. The court clearly found Irish legislation on what constitutes an assessment was insufficient.”
Mr Sweetman later told The Irish Times his argument was that environmental impact “statements” that were accepted under Irish legislation were not sufficient to meet the requirement for an environmental “assessment” under European legislation.
He also claimed it was wrong that parts of the application to the board were for a 15-year permit. He said this would “sterilise” the land with no commitment from Government that the line would even be built.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 16 May 2011
Statues and trees to be removed for Luas
INSTALLATION OF a Luas tramline in Dublin’s O’Connell Street will require the removal of many of the statues and most of the trees on its central median, it was confirmed yesterday.
The O’Connell and Parnell monuments would be unaffected by the Luas BXD plan, although they would also have to be taken down if the Government was to proceed with the Metro North scheme.
Anne Kiernan, chief architect with the Railway Procurement Agency, said the Luas line would encroach on the central median at the northern end of O’Connell Street.
As planned, there would be a single tramline on the street, running from south to north. The north-south line would run on Marlborough Street via a new bridge over the Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Ms Kiernan said all of the existing trees on the central median of O’Connell Street – mostly silver birch and mountain ash, planted within the past 10 years – would be replaced with “more appropriate” trees.
She said the statues removed to facilitate construction of the line would be re-erected after the work is completed. These include James Larkin, William Smith O’Brien, Sir John Gray and Father Matthew.
Poles for the electric power would be located on the central median, with a single-arm cantilever, to minimise the visual impact of the wirescape on the street. Two Luas stops are planned for the street: one between the Gray and Larkin statues, the other to the north of the Spire – both located on the central median so as not to interfere with bus stops.
The design strategy would involve re-ordering the median to form linked spaces through the pattern of trees, lamps and paving, for the full length of the street.
It is understood Dublin City Council chief planning officer Dick Gleeson will object to the encroachment of Luas on the median.
At a preliminary hearing yesterday, An Bord Pleanála’s senior planning inspector said everyone who had made submissions on Luas BXD would be able to express their views at the full hearing, which opens next Wednesday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The O’Connell and Parnell monuments would be unaffected by the Luas BXD plan, although they would also have to be taken down if the Government was to proceed with the Metro North scheme.
Anne Kiernan, chief architect with the Railway Procurement Agency, said the Luas line would encroach on the central median at the northern end of O’Connell Street.
As planned, there would be a single tramline on the street, running from south to north. The north-south line would run on Marlborough Street via a new bridge over the Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Ms Kiernan said all of the existing trees on the central median of O’Connell Street – mostly silver birch and mountain ash, planted within the past 10 years – would be replaced with “more appropriate” trees.
She said the statues removed to facilitate construction of the line would be re-erected after the work is completed. These include James Larkin, William Smith O’Brien, Sir John Gray and Father Matthew.
Poles for the electric power would be located on the central median, with a single-arm cantilever, to minimise the visual impact of the wirescape on the street. Two Luas stops are planned for the street: one between the Gray and Larkin statues, the other to the north of the Spire – both located on the central median so as not to interfere with bus stops.
The design strategy would involve re-ordering the median to form linked spaces through the pattern of trees, lamps and paving, for the full length of the street.
It is understood Dublin City Council chief planning officer Dick Gleeson will object to the encroachment of Luas on the median.
At a preliminary hearing yesterday, An Bord Pleanála’s senior planning inspector said everyone who had made submissions on Luas BXD would be able to express their views at the full hearing, which opens next Wednesday.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Luas hearing deferred to avoid 'conflict'
AN BORD Pleanála has postponed a preliminary hearing on plans for a city-centre link between Dublin’s two Luas lines after discovering the senior planning inspector appointed to deal with the case had what it called “a possible perceived conflict of interest”.
In its notification to some 80 parties, the appeals board said it had “come to the board’s attention that the inspector appointed to examine this application attended a public information exhibition in connection with the proposed project approximately 18 months ago. The board is confident that such attendance would not have influenced the inspector or have given rise to prejudice or bias in the performance of her duties.
“However, in order to avoid possible perceived conflict of interest, the board has decided it would be appropriate to appoint a replacement inspector.”
The hearing, which was due to open today, was to have been held by senior planning inspector Anne Marie O’Connor. However, it is understood that one of the parties – who the board declined to identify – drew the board’s attention to her attendance at the exhibition. “It’s for them to say who it was,” a spokesman said.
One planning source who did not wish to be identified commented that the potential conflict of interest in the latest case involving Luas was “relatively innocuous”, as any member of the public was entitled to attend the Railway Procurement Agency public information exhibition on plans for the city-centre link.
The agency has sought approval from An Bord Pleanála for the construction of the new Luas line, which would run for 5.6km from St Stephen’s Green – where the Sandyford line terminates – to Broombridge in Cabra.
It would run through the city centre via Dawson Street, Nassau Street, Lower Grafton Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Street, returning via Marlborough Street, Hawkins Street and College Street via a new bridge over the river Liffey.
The appeals board expressed regret that it was necessary to postpone the preliminary hearing, to allow for the appointment of a replacement inspector. But its spokesman said this would involve no undue delay in dealing with the agency’s application.
The board has become particularly sensitive to potential conflicts of interest after losing a High Court case over how it handled plans for a landfill at Usk, Co Kildare. The court quashed its decision to grant permission, saying it had shown “objective bias”.
In another case, involving Dublin Port’s controversial plan to infill 52 acres of Dublin Bay, An Bord Pleanála had to dispense with the services of HR Wallingford, its technical advisers on the application, after it emerged that they had undertaken work for a potential rival, Bremore Port.
Earlier this month, the board denied there was any conflict of interest in one of its members, Conall Boland, handling a case involving heavily contested plans by the Cosgrave Property Group for 600 apartments on the former Dún Laoghaire Golf Club lands. He had previously worked for RPS, who acted as consultants on the scheme.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
In its notification to some 80 parties, the appeals board said it had “come to the board’s attention that the inspector appointed to examine this application attended a public information exhibition in connection with the proposed project approximately 18 months ago. The board is confident that such attendance would not have influenced the inspector or have given rise to prejudice or bias in the performance of her duties.
“However, in order to avoid possible perceived conflict of interest, the board has decided it would be appropriate to appoint a replacement inspector.”
The hearing, which was due to open today, was to have been held by senior planning inspector Anne Marie O’Connor. However, it is understood that one of the parties – who the board declined to identify – drew the board’s attention to her attendance at the exhibition. “It’s for them to say who it was,” a spokesman said.
One planning source who did not wish to be identified commented that the potential conflict of interest in the latest case involving Luas was “relatively innocuous”, as any member of the public was entitled to attend the Railway Procurement Agency public information exhibition on plans for the city-centre link.
The agency has sought approval from An Bord Pleanála for the construction of the new Luas line, which would run for 5.6km from St Stephen’s Green – where the Sandyford line terminates – to Broombridge in Cabra.
It would run through the city centre via Dawson Street, Nassau Street, Lower Grafton Street, College Green, Westmoreland Street and O’Connell Street, returning via Marlborough Street, Hawkins Street and College Street via a new bridge over the river Liffey.
The appeals board expressed regret that it was necessary to postpone the preliminary hearing, to allow for the appointment of a replacement inspector. But its spokesman said this would involve no undue delay in dealing with the agency’s application.
The board has become particularly sensitive to potential conflicts of interest after losing a High Court case over how it handled plans for a landfill at Usk, Co Kildare. The court quashed its decision to grant permission, saying it had shown “objective bias”.
In another case, involving Dublin Port’s controversial plan to infill 52 acres of Dublin Bay, An Bord Pleanála had to dispense with the services of HR Wallingford, its technical advisers on the application, after it emerged that they had undertaken work for a potential rival, Bremore Port.
Earlier this month, the board denied there was any conflict of interest in one of its members, Conall Boland, handling a case involving heavily contested plans by the Cosgrave Property Group for 600 apartments on the former Dún Laoghaire Golf Club lands. He had previously worked for RPS, who acted as consultants on the scheme.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 20 September 2010
Initial hearings on Dart, Luas lines next week
ALMOST 400 groups and individuals have been invited to An Bord Pleanála preliminary hearings next week on the proposed Dart underground and cross-city Luas lines.
The planning board is holding the meetings to establish how much time it needs to set aside for both hearings and what sized venues will be required. It is expected to announce dates for the full public hearings soon after.
Some 278 parties who made submissions and objections to the Iarnród Éireann Dart underground plan will be invited to address the hearings.
A further 91 letters have been sent to those who made submissions on the Luas line, which is under the remit of the Railway Procurement Agency.
The lower number of submissions does not necessarily indicate a lesser interest in the Luas line, An Bord Pleanála said, as residents often group their submissions and objections together. However, as the Luas is no longer included in the Government’s capital spending programme, it is likely to be of less immediate concern than the Dart underground.
The 7.6km line from the docklands to Inchicore will link Heuston Station to the Dart for the first time. The line will also connect with the planned Metro North at St Stephen’s Green. An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on Metro North next month.
The Luas BXD, known as the “missing link”, is a 5.6km line running from the Luas Green line at St Stephen’s Green to the Iarnród Éireann station at Broombridge in Cabra. If constructed, this line would link the Green line from Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green with the Red line from Tallaght to Connolly Station. The lines would meet up at O’Connell Street. The Luas BXD would then run to Parnell Square, Broadstone, Phibsborough and Cabra.
Provision would be made for a future stop at Grangegorman once the DIT campus had relocated to the former hospital site.
Separate hearings for both projects are likely to take several weeks. Tunnelling under residential and historic buildings is likely to be the most contentious issue with the Dart underground.
In relation to the Luas line, Dublin City Council, the Dublin City Business Association and a number of other bodies have already told An Bord Pleanála they consider the use of overhead wires in the heart of the city centre to be unacceptable.
Business interests in the city are likely to raise concerns about the disruption and closure of streets during the construction of the line.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The planning board is holding the meetings to establish how much time it needs to set aside for both hearings and what sized venues will be required. It is expected to announce dates for the full public hearings soon after.
Some 278 parties who made submissions and objections to the Iarnród Éireann Dart underground plan will be invited to address the hearings.
A further 91 letters have been sent to those who made submissions on the Luas line, which is under the remit of the Railway Procurement Agency.
The lower number of submissions does not necessarily indicate a lesser interest in the Luas line, An Bord Pleanála said, as residents often group their submissions and objections together. However, as the Luas is no longer included in the Government’s capital spending programme, it is likely to be of less immediate concern than the Dart underground.
The 7.6km line from the docklands to Inchicore will link Heuston Station to the Dart for the first time. The line will also connect with the planned Metro North at St Stephen’s Green. An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on Metro North next month.
The Luas BXD, known as the “missing link”, is a 5.6km line running from the Luas Green line at St Stephen’s Green to the Iarnród Éireann station at Broombridge in Cabra. If constructed, this line would link the Green line from Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green with the Red line from Tallaght to Connolly Station. The lines would meet up at O’Connell Street. The Luas BXD would then run to Parnell Square, Broadstone, Phibsborough and Cabra.
Provision would be made for a future stop at Grangegorman once the DIT campus had relocated to the former hospital site.
Separate hearings for both projects are likely to take several weeks. Tunnelling under residential and historic buildings is likely to be the most contentious issue with the Dart underground.
In relation to the Luas line, Dublin City Council, the Dublin City Business Association and a number of other bodies have already told An Bord Pleanála they consider the use of overhead wires in the heart of the city centre to be unacceptable.
Business interests in the city are likely to raise concerns about the disruption and closure of streets during the construction of the line.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Luas chiefs refuse to bury lines
LUAS bosses have rejected calls from Dublin City Council to put power lines underground, writes Paul Melia.
The council opposed plans to use overhead power cables in the proposed link-up of the two Luas lines because of their impact on the capital's architectural heritage.
But the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), which plans to link the Sandyford and Tallaght lines, rejected the council submission, as it could cost "tens of millions" of euro.
The overhead lines would have to be removed from more than 35km of track and replaced with an underground system, which would add considerable expense to the project.
The RPA also said that underground power lines were "unproven" technology and it could not gamble that they would work.
In a submission to An Bord Pleanala, the city council said the Luas would travel from St Stephen's Green to Dawson Street, College College, across O'Connell Street and to Parnell Square and pass by some of the city's most significant buildings.
Hearing
College Green had a "progression of exceptional classical buildings", including the Bank of Ireland, and they should not be compromised by cables and wires, it said.
An Bord Pleanala is expected to announce a public hearing into the project in the coming weeks. Planning permission was sought last June to construct the link, called Luas Line BXD.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The council opposed plans to use overhead power cables in the proposed link-up of the two Luas lines because of their impact on the capital's architectural heritage.
But the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), which plans to link the Sandyford and Tallaght lines, rejected the council submission, as it could cost "tens of millions" of euro.
The overhead lines would have to be removed from more than 35km of track and replaced with an underground system, which would add considerable expense to the project.
The RPA also said that underground power lines were "unproven" technology and it could not gamble that they would work.
In a submission to An Bord Pleanala, the city council said the Luas would travel from St Stephen's Green to Dawson Street, College College, across O'Connell Street and to Parnell Square and pass by some of the city's most significant buildings.
Hearing
College Green had a "progression of exceptional classical buildings", including the Bank of Ireland, and they should not be compromised by cables and wires, it said.
An Bord Pleanala is expected to announce a public hearing into the project in the coming weeks. Planning permission was sought last June to construct the link, called Luas Line BXD.
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Council opposes overhead cables on cross-city Luas line
DUBLIN CITY Council is opposing a plan to use overhead power cables on the proposed cross-city Luas line because of their detrimental effect on the city’s “exceptional” and “exquisite” architecture.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) wants to use the same overhead power supply system on the new line, which will link the Sandyford and Tallaght lines before continuing on to Broombridge in Cabra, as it does on the existing lines.
However, the council said the proposal was not acceptable in the city centre. The route the Luas will take – from St Stephen’s Green, down Dawson Street, through College Green, across O’Connell Bridge, and up O’Connell Street to Parnell Square – passes the city’s most significant public buildings, it said.
College Green in particular consisted of a “progression of exceptional classical buildings”, including the “exquisite” portico of the Bank of Ireland, which should not be compromised by cables and wires. Comparisons made by the RPA in relation to the wiring used by early 20th century trams in the city centre were “not an argument of weight” in the context of best-practice building conservation, the council said.
The RPA should provide an alternative wire-free system, the council argued. It said it was in favour of the overall project but it urged An Bord Pleanála to make it a condition of the railway order that St Stephen’s Green to Parnell Square be a wire-free zone.
The council’s position is supported by the Dublin Civic Trust, which submitted that the overhead lines would have a damaging impact on “large swathes of the ceremonial core of the city”. The Irish Georgian Society is also against the use of overhead lines.
The RPA June applied to An Bord Pleanála last for a railway order to construct the new line. A date for a public hearing on the project is expected to be announced soon by the planning board.
The RPA said it investigated a wire-free option that has been used on trams in Bordeaux in France since 2003. The system uses a third rail embedded in the road between the tram tracks which becomes energised as it hits connectors underneath the tram, but switches off when the tram passes.
However, the RPA said the technology was still new and there were concerns over its robustness, reliability and safety; and it was “substantially” more expensive.
A second bone of contention for the council is that the RPA’s plans to run the Luas along the central plaza of O’Connell Street. The council had undertaken a major improvement scheme of the street in recent years and the widened median was the central element of the design. The proposed alignment would “detrimentally affect the integrity of the newly completed scheme,” the council said, and should not be permitted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) wants to use the same overhead power supply system on the new line, which will link the Sandyford and Tallaght lines before continuing on to Broombridge in Cabra, as it does on the existing lines.
However, the council said the proposal was not acceptable in the city centre. The route the Luas will take – from St Stephen’s Green, down Dawson Street, through College Green, across O’Connell Bridge, and up O’Connell Street to Parnell Square – passes the city’s most significant public buildings, it said.
College Green in particular consisted of a “progression of exceptional classical buildings”, including the “exquisite” portico of the Bank of Ireland, which should not be compromised by cables and wires. Comparisons made by the RPA in relation to the wiring used by early 20th century trams in the city centre were “not an argument of weight” in the context of best-practice building conservation, the council said.
The RPA should provide an alternative wire-free system, the council argued. It said it was in favour of the overall project but it urged An Bord Pleanála to make it a condition of the railway order that St Stephen’s Green to Parnell Square be a wire-free zone.
The council’s position is supported by the Dublin Civic Trust, which submitted that the overhead lines would have a damaging impact on “large swathes of the ceremonial core of the city”. The Irish Georgian Society is also against the use of overhead lines.
The RPA June applied to An Bord Pleanála last for a railway order to construct the new line. A date for a public hearing on the project is expected to be announced soon by the planning board.
The RPA said it investigated a wire-free option that has been used on trams in Bordeaux in France since 2003. The system uses a third rail embedded in the road between the tram tracks which becomes energised as it hits connectors underneath the tram, but switches off when the tram passes.
However, the RPA said the technology was still new and there were concerns over its robustness, reliability and safety; and it was “substantially” more expensive.
A second bone of contention for the council is that the RPA’s plans to run the Luas along the central plaza of O’Connell Street. The council had undertaken a major improvement scheme of the street in recent years and the widened median was the central element of the design. The proposed alignment would “detrimentally affect the integrity of the newly completed scheme,” the council said, and should not be permitted.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 24 June 2010
'Kiss-and-ride' facilities planned for tram stations
WHOEVER said romance was dead hadn't heard of the soppy Luas chiefs.
They're providing 'kiss-and-ride' facilities for commuters using the planned Luas link-up in Dublin city centre. In fact, the reality is far less salacious than that implied in the rather suggestive term.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) yesterday formally applied for 'kiss-and-ride' facilities to be provided at the Luas Broombridge line.
It means that drivers can drop off their loved ones at the Luas, receive a kiss and then drive away. Park-and-ride facilities are available at the Red Cow for Tallaght line Luas passengers.
But those using the new city centre route from 2018 will not be given parking spaces. They will just have to make do with a kiss.
Tom Manning, RPA spokesman, said yesterday the phrase probably originated in the US.
"People can just drive in and get a peck on the cheek and then drive away. The person receiving the kiss doesn't have to get out of the car."
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
They're providing 'kiss-and-ride' facilities for commuters using the planned Luas link-up in Dublin city centre. In fact, the reality is far less salacious than that implied in the rather suggestive term.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) yesterday formally applied for 'kiss-and-ride' facilities to be provided at the Luas Broombridge line.
It means that drivers can drop off their loved ones at the Luas, receive a kiss and then drive away. Park-and-ride facilities are available at the Red Cow for Tallaght line Luas passengers.
But those using the new city centre route from 2018 will not be given parking spaces. They will just have to make do with a kiss.
Tom Manning, RPA spokesman, said yesterday the phrase probably originated in the US.
"People can just drive in and get a peck on the cheek and then drive away. The person receiving the kiss doesn't have to get out of the car."
Treacy Hogan
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Plans to link Luas lines finalised
Planning permission is to be sought for a Luas line linking the existing Sandyford and Tallaght lines in Dublin.
An application for a new line running from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge is to be lodged with An Bord Pleanala by the Railway Procurement Agency.
The forecast journey time between the Green line terminus and the Broombridge station is expected to be approximately 24 minutes, with 20 trams serving each direction per hour during peak periods.
The BX line is planned to run from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street via College Green before doubling back and travelling along Marlborough Street across a specially constructed bridge over the River Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Stops along this line will be located at Dawson Street, Westmoreland Street, O’ Connell Street, Marlborough Street and College Street.
Using the BX line, members of the public will be able to transfer between the Sandyford and Tallaght lines at Middle Abbey Street.
The BX line would also form part of Line D which will run from O’Connell Street to Broombridge via Broadstone and Grangegorman. Stops along Line D include Parnell Street, Dominick Street Lower and Broadstone.
At Broombridge the Luas line will interchange with Iarnrod Éireann’s Maynooth railway line services.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce has said the city centre would face an eight year construction period if the Luas Metro North and Dart projects are not properly integrated.
Chief executive Gina Quin said it was critical that construction works are managed effectively so that the projects are delivered together as quickly as possible, while still ensuring the city remains fully open for business.
“The benefits of these major transport projects are clear," she said. "They will transform the way in which people move around and through Dublin, but we need to be sure that construction is controlled from day one so that it is still easy for residents, commuters, shoppers and tourists to get into and around the city centre in particular."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An application for a new line running from St Stephen’s Green to Broombridge is to be lodged with An Bord Pleanala by the Railway Procurement Agency.
The forecast journey time between the Green line terminus and the Broombridge station is expected to be approximately 24 minutes, with 20 trams serving each direction per hour during peak periods.
The BX line is planned to run from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street via College Green before doubling back and travelling along Marlborough Street across a specially constructed bridge over the River Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Stops along this line will be located at Dawson Street, Westmoreland Street, O’ Connell Street, Marlborough Street and College Street.
Using the BX line, members of the public will be able to transfer between the Sandyford and Tallaght lines at Middle Abbey Street.
The BX line would also form part of Line D which will run from O’Connell Street to Broombridge via Broadstone and Grangegorman. Stops along Line D include Parnell Street, Dominick Street Lower and Broadstone.
At Broombridge the Luas line will interchange with Iarnrod Éireann’s Maynooth railway line services.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce has said the city centre would face an eight year construction period if the Luas Metro North and Dart projects are not properly integrated.
Chief executive Gina Quin said it was critical that construction works are managed effectively so that the projects are delivered together as quickly as possible, while still ensuring the city remains fully open for business.
“The benefits of these major transport projects are clear," she said. "They will transform the way in which people move around and through Dublin, but we need to be sure that construction is controlled from day one so that it is still easy for residents, commuters, shoppers and tourists to get into and around the city centre in particular."
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Permission sought to link up Luas lines
PLANNING PERMISSION is to be sought for a Luas line linking the existing Sandyford and Tallaght lines in Dublin.
An application for the new BX line, running 5.6km from the Luas Green line at St Stephen’s Green to the Iarnród Éireann Broombridge station, is to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála by the Railway Procurement Agency.
The forecast journey time between the Green line terminus and the Broombridge station is expected to be approximately 24 minutes, with 20 trams an hour serving each direction during peak periods.
The BX line is to run from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street via College Green before doubling back and travelling along Marlborough Street across a specially constructed bridge over the river Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Stops along this line will be located at Dawson Street, Westmoreland Street, O’Connell Street, Marlborough Street and College Street.
Using the BX line, members of the public will be able to transfer between the Green Luas line and the Red Luas line at Middle Abbey Street. The proposed line would also form part of Line D which will run from O’Connell Street to Broombridge via Broadstone and Grangegorman. Stops along Line D include Parnell Street, Dominick Street Lower and Broadstone.
At Broombridge, the Luas line will interchange with Iarnród Éireann’s Maynooth railway line services.
However, it would be “quite some time before the lines materialise”, a spokesman for the Railway Procurement Agency said. He said the earliest any works on the new lines could start would be a year away, as “it takes about a year for a railway order to be granted”.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce has said the city centre would face an eight-year construction period if the new Luas, Metro North and Dart projects were not properly integrated.
Chief executive Gina Quin said it was critical that construction works were managed effectively so the projects were delivered together as quickly as possible, while ensuring the city remained fully open for business.
“The benefits of these major transport projects are clear,” Ms Quin added.
“They will transform the way in which people move around and through Dublin, but we need to be sure that construction is controlled from day one so that it is still easy for residents, commuters, shoppers and tourists to get into and around the city centre in particular.”
According to the environmental impact statement, construction on the new lines is expected to take approximately 33 months once started, with a period of testing required.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
An application for the new BX line, running 5.6km from the Luas Green line at St Stephen’s Green to the Iarnród Éireann Broombridge station, is to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála by the Railway Procurement Agency.
The forecast journey time between the Green line terminus and the Broombridge station is expected to be approximately 24 minutes, with 20 trams an hour serving each direction during peak periods.
The BX line is to run from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street via College Green before doubling back and travelling along Marlborough Street across a specially constructed bridge over the river Liffey to Hawkins Street.
Stops along this line will be located at Dawson Street, Westmoreland Street, O’Connell Street, Marlborough Street and College Street.
Using the BX line, members of the public will be able to transfer between the Green Luas line and the Red Luas line at Middle Abbey Street. The proposed line would also form part of Line D which will run from O’Connell Street to Broombridge via Broadstone and Grangegorman. Stops along Line D include Parnell Street, Dominick Street Lower and Broadstone.
At Broombridge, the Luas line will interchange with Iarnród Éireann’s Maynooth railway line services.
However, it would be “quite some time before the lines materialise”, a spokesman for the Railway Procurement Agency said. He said the earliest any works on the new lines could start would be a year away, as “it takes about a year for a railway order to be granted”.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce has said the city centre would face an eight-year construction period if the new Luas, Metro North and Dart projects were not properly integrated.
Chief executive Gina Quin said it was critical that construction works were managed effectively so the projects were delivered together as quickly as possible, while ensuring the city remained fully open for business.
“The benefits of these major transport projects are clear,” Ms Quin added.
“They will transform the way in which people move around and through Dublin, but we need to be sure that construction is controlled from day one so that it is still easy for residents, commuters, shoppers and tourists to get into and around the city centre in particular.”
According to the environmental impact statement, construction on the new lines is expected to take approximately 33 months once started, with a period of testing required.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Luas Cherrywood extension has final stretch put in place
WITH A flash and a large plume of smoke, the last piece of railway track was welded into place on the Luas Cherrywood extension yesterday.
The €300 million extension to the line, which is expected to open to the public in October, is already wired and "live", with testing of trams expected to begin late next month.
At 7.5km, the extension almost doubles the initial 9km length of the Luas Green line from St Stephen's Green to Sandyford. It is to have 12 stops between Sandyford and Brides Glen, about 1km beyond Cherrywood.
While most of the Luas Green line follows the route of the former Harcourt Street railway to Brides Glen, the extension deviates from the original.
It turns southwest alongside the prominent Vodafone building at Central Park, across the M50 and continues to Glencairn, close to the British ambassador's residence. From there, it turns back to the Ballyogan Road and across the M50 to Leopardstown.
After the final weld yesterday, chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency Frank Allen said the deviation was to tie in with high levels of development around Glencairn, the Gallops, and along Ballyogan Road, all planned in tandem with the Luas.
Property developers within 1km of the Luas line were charged a special development levy, in a move designed to raise about €150 million of the cost of the extension.
Many of these developments were apartment blocks of between five and seven storeys which are now largely vacant.
However, Tom Manning of the Railway Procurement Agency said the property developers' difficulties had not affected the line's development.
"There is a 30-year timeframe for the State to recoup the money, so that could be as many as three or more economic cycles," he said.
At €300 million, the route has cost €40 million a kilometre.
The first phase of the Luas light rail worked out at €35 million per kilometre.
Iarnród Éireann confirmed yesterday there would be a three-year additional delay to the planned opening of its Dart underground project.
Public consultation on the project, now not due to be completed until 2018, continues.
Meetings will be held between 5pm and 8pm on each of the following dates at these venues: Today: the Atrium, Civic Offices, Wood Quay; Monday, May 10th, the Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street; Tuesday, May 11th, Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin 8; and Thursday, May 13th, Sean O'Casey Community Centre, East Wall, Dublin 3.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The €300 million extension to the line, which is expected to open to the public in October, is already wired and "live", with testing of trams expected to begin late next month.
At 7.5km, the extension almost doubles the initial 9km length of the Luas Green line from St Stephen's Green to Sandyford. It is to have 12 stops between Sandyford and Brides Glen, about 1km beyond Cherrywood.
While most of the Luas Green line follows the route of the former Harcourt Street railway to Brides Glen, the extension deviates from the original.
It turns southwest alongside the prominent Vodafone building at Central Park, across the M50 and continues to Glencairn, close to the British ambassador's residence. From there, it turns back to the Ballyogan Road and across the M50 to Leopardstown.
After the final weld yesterday, chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency Frank Allen said the deviation was to tie in with high levels of development around Glencairn, the Gallops, and along Ballyogan Road, all planned in tandem with the Luas.
Property developers within 1km of the Luas line were charged a special development levy, in a move designed to raise about €150 million of the cost of the extension.
Many of these developments were apartment blocks of between five and seven storeys which are now largely vacant.
However, Tom Manning of the Railway Procurement Agency said the property developers' difficulties had not affected the line's development.
"There is a 30-year timeframe for the State to recoup the money, so that could be as many as three or more economic cycles," he said.
At €300 million, the route has cost €40 million a kilometre.
The first phase of the Luas light rail worked out at €35 million per kilometre.
Iarnród Éireann confirmed yesterday there would be a three-year additional delay to the planned opening of its Dart underground project.
Public consultation on the project, now not due to be completed until 2018, continues.
Meetings will be held between 5pm and 8pm on each of the following dates at these venues: Today: the Atrium, Civic Offices, Wood Quay; Monday, May 10th, the Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street; Tuesday, May 11th, Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham, Dublin 8; and Thursday, May 13th, Sean O'Casey Community Centre, East Wall, Dublin 3.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Change to proposed Lucan Luas line route planned
THE RAILWAY Procurement Agency (RPA) plans to change the route of the proposed Lucan Luas line, but said it does not intend to reopen public consultation on the project.
Plans for the line, which would run from Lucan in west Dublin to the city centre, were originally put out to public consultation in late 2007. The RPA received a record 2,300 submissions from the public, greater than the response for the entire Metro North project.
The preferred route which emerged from this process was announced in October 2008. From College Green in the city centre, the 15km “Line F” would head west along Dame Street to Christchurch before joining the existing Red Line at Fatima. It would then continue along the Grand Canal before turning right on Kylemore Road and heading towards Ballyfermot and out of the city towards Lucan.
In a letter sent to residents in Inchicore, the RPA said it now plans to change the route so that the Luas line could link up with the proposed final stop of the Dart Underground line.
In the letter, the RPA said that at the time the original Lucan Luas selection process took place, the Dart Underground route was to end at Heuston Station. Iarnród Éireann subsequently decided to extend the line to Inchicore.
The RPA and Iarnród Éireann have been working for a number of months to identify a way to provide a “viable interchange” between the two lines, the letter said. The proposed solution involves taking the line away from the canal and routing it through industrial lands east of Inchicore Village to meet the planned Dart station.
A spokesman for the RPA said two information meetings would be held this week – at Liffey Gaels GAA Club, Ballyfermot, from 6pm to 9pm tonight, and at the Oblate Hall, Inchicore, at the same time tomorrow.
The RPA intends to seek a Railway Order, planning permission to construct the line, from An Bord Pleanála next year. When the preferred route was announced in October 2008, the RPA said it would seek a Railway Order in 2010.
The spokesman said there would “not be any significant delay” in development as a result of the route change. No date for its construction has been set.
Inchicore on Track, a residents’ group which had been critical of a lack of consultation from Iarnród Éireann in relation to the site of the Dart Underground station, said it wanted public consultation on the route change.
“This route change might be a no-brainer, and it seems logical, but what if we don’t agree with it?” asked group representative John Beck.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Plans for the line, which would run from Lucan in west Dublin to the city centre, were originally put out to public consultation in late 2007. The RPA received a record 2,300 submissions from the public, greater than the response for the entire Metro North project.
The preferred route which emerged from this process was announced in October 2008. From College Green in the city centre, the 15km “Line F” would head west along Dame Street to Christchurch before joining the existing Red Line at Fatima. It would then continue along the Grand Canal before turning right on Kylemore Road and heading towards Ballyfermot and out of the city towards Lucan.
In a letter sent to residents in Inchicore, the RPA said it now plans to change the route so that the Luas line could link up with the proposed final stop of the Dart Underground line.
In the letter, the RPA said that at the time the original Lucan Luas selection process took place, the Dart Underground route was to end at Heuston Station. Iarnród Éireann subsequently decided to extend the line to Inchicore.
The RPA and Iarnród Éireann have been working for a number of months to identify a way to provide a “viable interchange” between the two lines, the letter said. The proposed solution involves taking the line away from the canal and routing it through industrial lands east of Inchicore Village to meet the planned Dart station.
A spokesman for the RPA said two information meetings would be held this week – at Liffey Gaels GAA Club, Ballyfermot, from 6pm to 9pm tonight, and at the Oblate Hall, Inchicore, at the same time tomorrow.
The RPA intends to seek a Railway Order, planning permission to construct the line, from An Bord Pleanála next year. When the preferred route was announced in October 2008, the RPA said it would seek a Railway Order in 2010.
The spokesman said there would “not be any significant delay” in development as a result of the route change. No date for its construction has been set.
Inchicore on Track, a residents’ group which had been critical of a lack of consultation from Iarnród Éireann in relation to the site of the Dart Underground station, said it wanted public consultation on the route change.
“This route change might be a no-brainer, and it seems logical, but what if we don’t agree with it?” asked group representative John Beck.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 1 February 2010
€3bn price tag for 13 planned Luas lines in 2004, documents show
PLANS BY the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) for an extensive network of Luas light rail lines in Dublin – as put forward in late 2004 – would cost about €3 billion to implement, according to official documents.
The documents were only released by the Department of Transport this year after an Irish Times Freedom of Information Act request in November 2005, along with an appeal to Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly.
Although many figures in the documents were blacked out, it is clear that the Department of Finance was sceptical about the RPA’s assumption that 24-hour tunnelling could be used to cut the cost of its Metro North project – estimated at €4.58 billion.
The department queried Iarnród Éireann’s cost estimate for its “Dart Underground” project – a link between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock – saying it was based on a cheaper single-bore tunnel, “unlikely to proceed” for safety reasons.
In addition to the proposed 18km metro line between Swords and St Stephen’s Green, the RPA’s Light Rail Investment Strategy 2004-2014 envisaged 13 new Luas lines, of which only one (Connolly Station to The Point) has been completed so far.
The list included an extension of the Sandyford Luas line to Cherrywood, now under construction, and joining the two existing lines serving Tallaght and Sandyford in the city centre.
Other lines were: O’Connell Street-Sillogue (Ballymun), Sillogue-Swords, Cookstown-Citywest, Lucan-city centre, Cherrywood-Bray, Whitehall-Howth Junction, Red Cow-Clondalkin, Clondalkin-Lucan, Lucan-Blanchardstown and Blanchardstown-Ballymun.
The combined route length given in the strategy is 83.6km. Based on the disclosed capital cost of €260 million for the 7.5km Sandyford-Cherrywood line and €130 million for Cookstown-Citywest (4km), the overall cost would work out at €2.926 billion.
Cost estimates were based on an average of €35 million per kilometre, sufficient to include “significant structures” such as bridges as well as the diversion of utilities such as electricity, gas and water lines from the track-bed.
The Docklands extension was more expensive, at €65.05 million, mainly due to the need to protect sensitive underground cables. At 1.57km, including a bridge over Spencer Dock, this works out at €41.4 million per kilometre.
The RPA’s business case for the Docklands extension assumed the city link between the two existing Luas lines and the Sandyford line extension “are in place and that trams operate on the network from The Point to Bride’s Glen”.
Although the 2004 Light Rail Investment Strategy said development of a permanent link between the Sandyford and Tallaght lines “should now be considered as a matter of urgency”, no application for a railway order has been made.
In making its case for the city centre link via Dawson Street, College Green and Westmoreland Street, the RPA’s “strong view” was that this would involve no duplication with the proposed metro, saying they would have “distinctly differing” roles.
Another document dealing with funding options for the Sandyford- Cherrywood line noted that more than 50 per cent of the capital cost would be covered by the private sector, in the form of development levies, as well as the provision of land free of charge. Given the virtual collapse of development activity along this corridor, it is uncertain how much of the capital cost has been – or can be – recouped from developers.
In late 2004, after the introduction of the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines, the RPA proposed that it would carry out feasibility studies for light rail lines in Cork, Galway and Limerick. None of these studies has proceeded.
INFORMATION OFFICER: HER VIEW
THE OFFICE of Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly is minded to uphold the Department of Transport’s view that the release of estimated costings for major public transport projects such as Metro North in Dublin would not be in the public interest.
After the Department of Transport refused to release information that would show the likely cost of any of the projects, an appeal was made to the Information Commissioner in March 2006. As a result, some further documentation was subsequently released.
Anne Moran, the investigator dealing with the case, agreed that “there is a public interest in ensuring the accountability of Government for decisions made that involve large sums of public monies, especially where cutbacks have been made in all areas”.
She also said there was “a public interest in ensuring value for money in the improvement of State infrastructure [and] in minimising the risk that more taxpayer money might be spent on the projects than would otherwise have been necessary”.
FRANK MCDONALD
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
The documents were only released by the Department of Transport this year after an Irish Times Freedom of Information Act request in November 2005, along with an appeal to Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly.
Although many figures in the documents were blacked out, it is clear that the Department of Finance was sceptical about the RPA’s assumption that 24-hour tunnelling could be used to cut the cost of its Metro North project – estimated at €4.58 billion.
The department queried Iarnród Éireann’s cost estimate for its “Dart Underground” project – a link between Heuston Station and Spencer Dock – saying it was based on a cheaper single-bore tunnel, “unlikely to proceed” for safety reasons.
In addition to the proposed 18km metro line between Swords and St Stephen’s Green, the RPA’s Light Rail Investment Strategy 2004-2014 envisaged 13 new Luas lines, of which only one (Connolly Station to The Point) has been completed so far.
The list included an extension of the Sandyford Luas line to Cherrywood, now under construction, and joining the two existing lines serving Tallaght and Sandyford in the city centre.
Other lines were: O’Connell Street-Sillogue (Ballymun), Sillogue-Swords, Cookstown-Citywest, Lucan-city centre, Cherrywood-Bray, Whitehall-Howth Junction, Red Cow-Clondalkin, Clondalkin-Lucan, Lucan-Blanchardstown and Blanchardstown-Ballymun.
The combined route length given in the strategy is 83.6km. Based on the disclosed capital cost of €260 million for the 7.5km Sandyford-Cherrywood line and €130 million for Cookstown-Citywest (4km), the overall cost would work out at €2.926 billion.
Cost estimates were based on an average of €35 million per kilometre, sufficient to include “significant structures” such as bridges as well as the diversion of utilities such as electricity, gas and water lines from the track-bed.
The Docklands extension was more expensive, at €65.05 million, mainly due to the need to protect sensitive underground cables. At 1.57km, including a bridge over Spencer Dock, this works out at €41.4 million per kilometre.
The RPA’s business case for the Docklands extension assumed the city link between the two existing Luas lines and the Sandyford line extension “are in place and that trams operate on the network from The Point to Bride’s Glen”.
Although the 2004 Light Rail Investment Strategy said development of a permanent link between the Sandyford and Tallaght lines “should now be considered as a matter of urgency”, no application for a railway order has been made.
In making its case for the city centre link via Dawson Street, College Green and Westmoreland Street, the RPA’s “strong view” was that this would involve no duplication with the proposed metro, saying they would have “distinctly differing” roles.
Another document dealing with funding options for the Sandyford- Cherrywood line noted that more than 50 per cent of the capital cost would be covered by the private sector, in the form of development levies, as well as the provision of land free of charge. Given the virtual collapse of development activity along this corridor, it is uncertain how much of the capital cost has been – or can be – recouped from developers.
In late 2004, after the introduction of the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas lines, the RPA proposed that it would carry out feasibility studies for light rail lines in Cork, Galway and Limerick. None of these studies has proceeded.
INFORMATION OFFICER: HER VIEW
THE OFFICE of Information Commissioner Emily O’Reilly is minded to uphold the Department of Transport’s view that the release of estimated costings for major public transport projects such as Metro North in Dublin would not be in the public interest.
After the Department of Transport refused to release information that would show the likely cost of any of the projects, an appeal was made to the Information Commissioner in March 2006. As a result, some further documentation was subsequently released.
Anne Moran, the investigator dealing with the case, agreed that “there is a public interest in ensuring the accountability of Government for decisions made that involve large sums of public monies, especially where cutbacks have been made in all areas”.
She also said there was “a public interest in ensuring value for money in the improvement of State infrastructure [and] in minimising the risk that more taxpayer money might be spent on the projects than would otherwise have been necessary”.
FRANK MCDONALD
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 10 December 2009
New Luas extension through Docklands opens
THE NEW Luas extension in Dublin, which will run between Busaras/Connolly station and the Point, was roundly praised by passengers last night, many of whom were attending the Lily Allen concert at the O2.
“It’s brilliant – so handy,” DCU student Chantall Halley enthused on her way to the gig.
Rodrigo Ferrera from Brazil said the route extension meant he could travel directly from Tallaght, where he lived, to work in the O2. “It’s cheaper than the bus. Normally, I would get the Luas or the bus to O’Connell Street or Abbey Street and then I walk for 15 or 20 minutes. So it’s very nice now that it’s winter.”
Thomas Brady and his wife, Jean, were availing of yesterday’s once-off free travel on the route. “I worked here 20 years ago when Mayor Street was all run down flats.” Mr Brady said. “It’s marvellous to see the change.”
Speaking at the opening of the line yesterday, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to complete Transport 21 projects in Dublin in spite of anticipated budget cuts. He said that while the original timeframe for metro and Luas lines would not be met, both Metro North and Dart Underground would go ahead. Two further Luas extensions would open in the next two years and planning would continue for the remaining proposed Luas lines in the city.
Of Metro North and Dart Underground, Mr Dempsey said: “I can give an absolute assurance that planning goes ahead. Both of them are in the capital programme . . . They have to go through the planning process and the Government is absolutely committed to both of those projects.”
He added: “There are a couple of more Luas extensions that will open over the next couple of years and further ones that are in planning. We intend to ensure that we can bring all of those through planning and design and then we will build as we have the money to build.”
Frank Allen, chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency, said “with a fair wind” getting Metro North through the planning process, it could begin construction towards the end of 2010.
He said a railway order application would be made to An Bord Pleanála for the city centre Luas line linking the Red and Green routes, continuing out via Grangegorman to Broombridge, in 2010.
The Cherrywood Luas extension is due to open in September 2010 while the Luas extension via Citywest to Saggart was scheduled for 2011.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
“It’s brilliant – so handy,” DCU student Chantall Halley enthused on her way to the gig.
Rodrigo Ferrera from Brazil said the route extension meant he could travel directly from Tallaght, where he lived, to work in the O2. “It’s cheaper than the bus. Normally, I would get the Luas or the bus to O’Connell Street or Abbey Street and then I walk for 15 or 20 minutes. So it’s very nice now that it’s winter.”
Thomas Brady and his wife, Jean, were availing of yesterday’s once-off free travel on the route. “I worked here 20 years ago when Mayor Street was all run down flats.” Mr Brady said. “It’s marvellous to see the change.”
Speaking at the opening of the line yesterday, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to complete Transport 21 projects in Dublin in spite of anticipated budget cuts. He said that while the original timeframe for metro and Luas lines would not be met, both Metro North and Dart Underground would go ahead. Two further Luas extensions would open in the next two years and planning would continue for the remaining proposed Luas lines in the city.
Of Metro North and Dart Underground, Mr Dempsey said: “I can give an absolute assurance that planning goes ahead. Both of them are in the capital programme . . . They have to go through the planning process and the Government is absolutely committed to both of those projects.”
He added: “There are a couple of more Luas extensions that will open over the next couple of years and further ones that are in planning. We intend to ensure that we can bring all of those through planning and design and then we will build as we have the money to build.”
Frank Allen, chief executive of the Railway Procurement Agency, said “with a fair wind” getting Metro North through the planning process, it could begin construction towards the end of 2010.
He said a railway order application would be made to An Bord Pleanála for the city centre Luas line linking the Red and Green routes, continuing out via Grangegorman to Broombridge, in 2010.
The Cherrywood Luas extension is due to open in September 2010 while the Luas extension via Citywest to Saggart was scheduled for 2011.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 4 December 2009
Luas Red Line extension to open on Tuesday
THE LUAS extension from Bus Áras to the Point is to open on Tuesday and will face its first big challenge within hours, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) said yesterday.
According to the RPA, passengers will be offered free travel on the entire Red Line from 3pm on Tuesday immediately after the official opening, until 12.30am, when the line closes. The offer coincides with a potential audience of up to 13,000 people at the Lily Allen concert in the 02.
As he gave pre-school children from the Giraffe and Early Learning centres in the IFSC a special preview of the new extension yesterday, RPA light rail project director Michael Sheedy said the three- bay Luas terminal at the Point would be able to move 2,500 people from the O2 in the first 20 minutes after the concert.
“You will have some people taking their cars anyway and some who will start walking rather than wait, so we are not really expecting a problem,” Mr Sheedy said. Depending on demand, trams could be available every 6½ minutes.
The new extension encompasses four new stops – at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and the Point. The route bypasses the current terminus at the Luas concourse at Connolly Station. The RPA says the distances to the new stop represent a walk of only one or two minutes.
From Tuesday, just one in three trams will deviate between Bus Áras and George’s Dock to serve the concourse at the station.
According to the RPA’s Tom Manning, one of the main benefits of the Luas extension will be in breathing life into the IFSC at night-time, bringing people into the area for concerts and giving people a reason to remain as late as the last tram at 12.30am.
The route will pass the Harbourmaster bar and restaurant and will serve many of the corporate offices in the IFSC, as well as the National College of Ireland and new hotels, restaurants and wine bars on the north quays. It will also serve the 02, the soon to be completed concert hall and the Point Village.
“It brings the tram into a whole new area of Dublin; it looks more like Boston,” said Mr Manning as he pointed out local landmarks including “the Anglo Irish icon”, an unfinished office block near the Point. Journey times from Tallaght to the Point will be 56 minutes and services will be every 6½ minutes at peak times.
Public consultation for the extension was launched in January 2001 and construction began in June 2007.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
According to the RPA, passengers will be offered free travel on the entire Red Line from 3pm on Tuesday immediately after the official opening, until 12.30am, when the line closes. The offer coincides with a potential audience of up to 13,000 people at the Lily Allen concert in the 02.
As he gave pre-school children from the Giraffe and Early Learning centres in the IFSC a special preview of the new extension yesterday, RPA light rail project director Michael Sheedy said the three- bay Luas terminal at the Point would be able to move 2,500 people from the O2 in the first 20 minutes after the concert.
“You will have some people taking their cars anyway and some who will start walking rather than wait, so we are not really expecting a problem,” Mr Sheedy said. Depending on demand, trams could be available every 6½ minutes.
The new extension encompasses four new stops – at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and the Point. The route bypasses the current terminus at the Luas concourse at Connolly Station. The RPA says the distances to the new stop represent a walk of only one or two minutes.
From Tuesday, just one in three trams will deviate between Bus Áras and George’s Dock to serve the concourse at the station.
According to the RPA’s Tom Manning, one of the main benefits of the Luas extension will be in breathing life into the IFSC at night-time, bringing people into the area for concerts and giving people a reason to remain as late as the last tram at 12.30am.
The route will pass the Harbourmaster bar and restaurant and will serve many of the corporate offices in the IFSC, as well as the National College of Ireland and new hotels, restaurants and wine bars on the north quays. It will also serve the 02, the soon to be completed concert hall and the Point Village.
“It brings the tram into a whole new area of Dublin; it looks more like Boston,” said Mr Manning as he pointed out local landmarks including “the Anglo Irish icon”, an unfinished office block near the Point. Journey times from Tallaght to the Point will be 56 minutes and services will be every 6½ minutes at peak times.
Public consultation for the extension was launched in January 2001 and construction began in June 2007.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Luas trams will not stop at new Brennanstown station
LUAS TRAMS will not stop at a new station being built in south Dublin because development planned for the area has not materialised, the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) has said.
A new Luas line from Sandyford to Cherrywood in south Dublin is currently under construction, and is expected to be operational next autumn.
Costs for the development have been estimated at €40 million a kilometre.
Eleven stops will be constructed along the B1 line, including at Ballyogan, Leopardstown, Carrickmines and Cherrywood.
However, although a stop is being built at Brennanstown, off the N11 near Cabinteely, Luas trams will not stop there. New housing developments in the area had been and are being marketed on the basis of proximity to the Luas stop.
A spokesman for the RPA said the area around the Brennanstown stop had not developed in the way that was expected.
He said the road infrastructure around the stop had not been built.
“There is no way passengers can get in and out,” he said.
It was not the responsibility of the RPA to provide access roads, he added.
“It is really a matter of how the area has developed.”
Fine Gael TD George Lee said the decision not to stop at the station would be a “a kick in the teeth” for local residents.
“This will come as a major shock to local residents, many of whom bought apartments and houses in the area at the height of the boom in the expectation that they would have a Luas stop on their doorstep in the near future.
“These are the same people who are suffering terribly from negative equity,” Mr Lee added. “Plans to deprive them of a Luas service is like kicking them when they are down.”
He said he understood the Rail Procurement Agency was concerned that the demand for a Luas service would not be sufficient due to the number of empty apartments in the area.
He said he would raise the matter with Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
“I am calling on the Minister to ensure that the Brennanstown stop opens from day one when the Luas line is extended.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
A new Luas line from Sandyford to Cherrywood in south Dublin is currently under construction, and is expected to be operational next autumn.
Costs for the development have been estimated at €40 million a kilometre.
Eleven stops will be constructed along the B1 line, including at Ballyogan, Leopardstown, Carrickmines and Cherrywood.
However, although a stop is being built at Brennanstown, off the N11 near Cabinteely, Luas trams will not stop there. New housing developments in the area had been and are being marketed on the basis of proximity to the Luas stop.
A spokesman for the RPA said the area around the Brennanstown stop had not developed in the way that was expected.
He said the road infrastructure around the stop had not been built.
“There is no way passengers can get in and out,” he said.
It was not the responsibility of the RPA to provide access roads, he added.
“It is really a matter of how the area has developed.”
Fine Gael TD George Lee said the decision not to stop at the station would be a “a kick in the teeth” for local residents.
“This will come as a major shock to local residents, many of whom bought apartments and houses in the area at the height of the boom in the expectation that they would have a Luas stop on their doorstep in the near future.
“These are the same people who are suffering terribly from negative equity,” Mr Lee added. “Plans to deprive them of a Luas service is like kicking them when they are down.”
He said he understood the Rail Procurement Agency was concerned that the demand for a Luas service would not be sufficient due to the number of empty apartments in the area.
He said he would raise the matter with Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
“I am calling on the Minister to ensure that the Brennanstown stop opens from day one when the Luas line is extended.”
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Friday, 25 September 2009
Three new Luas routes to open in next two years
THREE NEW Luas routes to Saggart and Cherrywood in south Dublin and the docklands in Dublin city centre will open in the next two years.
However, a further four routes have been hit by the economic downturn, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey acknowledged yesterday.
Mr Dempsey said “the changed economic environment” meant a number of routes would not be meeting their Transport 21 deadlines, but he insisted they would ultimately be built.
In the meantime planning and design on these routes would continue, he said.
The Minister was speaking as he inspected the laying of tracks at Citywest as part of the Luas Red Line extension to Saggart.
A public-private partnership involving the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), Harcourt Developments and the Mansfield Group, the 4.2km spur from Belgard is due to open in early 2011.
The RPA said that the total cost of the line was €149 million, of which the private consortium was putting up “in excess of 50 per cent in terms of civil works, land and a defined monetary contribution”.
There will be five stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart, with a 310-space park-and-ride facility at Cheeverstown.
The layout of the Belgard stop is to be reconfigured to provide an additional track and associated platform alterations.
The RPA estimated an additional four million passenger journeys per year will be made on the Red Line as a result of the extension.
Speaking at the laying of track yesterday, members of the private sector partnership said they had been promoting the project since 2001.
They said trams would be running on the line by the end of next year, but a testing period would mean it would be 2011 before the line was open to the public.
The RPA said work was already under way on tram-testing of the docklands extension in the city centre.
However the agency said it had had “an exchange of views” with companies controlled by the embattled property developer Liam Carroll over signs erected on a bridge at Cherrywood which proclaimed the Cherrywood extension was opening this year.
RPA spokesman Tom Manning said it was not proposed to open the line in 2009, and the agency had asked the property developer to remove the signs.
“Thankfully they are now gone”, said RPA spokesman Tom Manning.
New routes: timetables
The three new Luas routes set to open in the next two years are:
Early 2010: a city centre extension of the Luas Red Line to the Docklands with stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and The Point.
Late 2010: an extension of the Luas Green Line from Sandyford to Cherrywood, near Loughlinstown Hospital in south Dublin. Stops will be located at Central Park, Glencairn, The Gallops, Lepoardstown Valley, Ballyogan Wood, Lepoardstown Race Course, Carrickmines, Brennanstown, Laughanstown, Cherrywood and Brides Glen.
Early 2011: the Luas Red Line extension known as Citywest in fact runs from Belgard via Citywest to Saggart. Stops include Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
However, a further four routes have been hit by the economic downturn, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey acknowledged yesterday.
Mr Dempsey said “the changed economic environment” meant a number of routes would not be meeting their Transport 21 deadlines, but he insisted they would ultimately be built.
In the meantime planning and design on these routes would continue, he said.
The Minister was speaking as he inspected the laying of tracks at Citywest as part of the Luas Red Line extension to Saggart.
A public-private partnership involving the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), Harcourt Developments and the Mansfield Group, the 4.2km spur from Belgard is due to open in early 2011.
The RPA said that the total cost of the line was €149 million, of which the private consortium was putting up “in excess of 50 per cent in terms of civil works, land and a defined monetary contribution”.
There will be five stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart, with a 310-space park-and-ride facility at Cheeverstown.
The layout of the Belgard stop is to be reconfigured to provide an additional track and associated platform alterations.
The RPA estimated an additional four million passenger journeys per year will be made on the Red Line as a result of the extension.
Speaking at the laying of track yesterday, members of the private sector partnership said they had been promoting the project since 2001.
They said trams would be running on the line by the end of next year, but a testing period would mean it would be 2011 before the line was open to the public.
The RPA said work was already under way on tram-testing of the docklands extension in the city centre.
However the agency said it had had “an exchange of views” with companies controlled by the embattled property developer Liam Carroll over signs erected on a bridge at Cherrywood which proclaimed the Cherrywood extension was opening this year.
RPA spokesman Tom Manning said it was not proposed to open the line in 2009, and the agency had asked the property developer to remove the signs.
“Thankfully they are now gone”, said RPA spokesman Tom Manning.
New routes: timetables
The three new Luas routes set to open in the next two years are:
Early 2010: a city centre extension of the Luas Red Line to the Docklands with stops at George’s Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and The Point.
Late 2010: an extension of the Luas Green Line from Sandyford to Cherrywood, near Loughlinstown Hospital in south Dublin. Stops will be located at Central Park, Glencairn, The Gallops, Lepoardstown Valley, Ballyogan Wood, Lepoardstown Race Course, Carrickmines, Brennanstown, Laughanstown, Cherrywood and Brides Glen.
Early 2011: the Luas Red Line extension known as Citywest in fact runs from Belgard via Citywest to Saggart. Stops include Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
New Luas section is right on track as it passes its first test
THE first Luas trams ran through Dublin's docklands yesterday -- but it will be months before there are passengers on board.
Test runs were carried out on the first of a series of extensions to the light rail line.
The service, from Connolly station to the O2 arena, is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
The tests on this section passed off without any glitches and caused great excitement among residents, Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) spokesman Tom Manning said.
However, despite causing a stir among rail fans, no passengers are allowed on board during the test phase.
Milestone
"We've been delighted with it. It's given us an opportunity to test the clearance between the trams and the track," Mr Manning said.
"It's the first run on it and we will be doing more tests over the coming months so it's a major milestone for us."
An exact opening date for the €90m extension to the Luas Red Line through the docklands has not being confirmed yet. However, RPA officials are hoping to cut the ribbon before the end of the year. Work is also progressing on a number of other Luas and Metro projects at Citywest, Cherrywood, Bray/Fassaroe, Broombridge and Lucan, as well as the Metro North and Metro West.
Mr Manning said: "Well over 50pc of the work in any of these is at the design and planning stages. To progress them, we have to do a significant amount of design work and public consultation.
"A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes before the first shovel goes into the ground," he added. The Luas Docklands extension will be the first of them to be completed.
A number of important works have been finished in recent weeks, including the positioning of all the electrical power cables.
Under Transport 21, it was envisaged that the extension would add an extra three million trips to the Luas network by 2016.
However, the new track will come on line just as the tram system is experiencing a fall-off in passenger numbers.
Breda Heffernan and Stephen O'Farrell
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Test runs were carried out on the first of a series of extensions to the light rail line.
The service, from Connolly station to the O2 arena, is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
The tests on this section passed off without any glitches and caused great excitement among residents, Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) spokesman Tom Manning said.
However, despite causing a stir among rail fans, no passengers are allowed on board during the test phase.
Milestone
"We've been delighted with it. It's given us an opportunity to test the clearance between the trams and the track," Mr Manning said.
"It's the first run on it and we will be doing more tests over the coming months so it's a major milestone for us."
An exact opening date for the €90m extension to the Luas Red Line through the docklands has not being confirmed yet. However, RPA officials are hoping to cut the ribbon before the end of the year. Work is also progressing on a number of other Luas and Metro projects at Citywest, Cherrywood, Bray/Fassaroe, Broombridge and Lucan, as well as the Metro North and Metro West.
Mr Manning said: "Well over 50pc of the work in any of these is at the design and planning stages. To progress them, we have to do a significant amount of design work and public consultation.
"A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes before the first shovel goes into the ground," he added. The Luas Docklands extension will be the first of them to be completed.
A number of important works have been finished in recent weeks, including the positioning of all the electrical power cables.
Under Transport 21, it was envisaged that the extension would add an extra three million trips to the Luas network by 2016.
However, the new track will come on line just as the tram system is experiencing a fall-off in passenger numbers.
Breda Heffernan and Stephen O'Farrell
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Red line investment 'a winner'
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has described the decision of developers to pay more than half the cost of a new Luas line as a "win-win" situation.
The 4.6km line will extend the current Red line service by a further five stops to areas including Saggart, Cheeverstown and the Citywest business campus in Dublin.
Yesterday, Mr Cowen said it was very significant that three developers had agreed to pay 55pc of the €150m cost.
"It really is an example of how you get a win-win situation in terms of development and also people getting a better quality of life due to the availability of public transport," Mr Cowen said.
The three developers include Citywest Hotel owner Jim Mansfield and Harcourt Developments, which count former RTE presenter Mike Murphy among its directors.
They have agreed to provide the land, a 300-space park and ride facility, and a cash donation of around €45m.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is providing the Luas trams, the track lines and the funding to run the service.
Mr Cowen said he believed the line extension would bring economic benefits to the west Tallaght community, which has suffered from social deprivation, vandalism and dereliction.
"I believe that this new line will act as a catalyst for further developments in the years ahead," he said.
The Luas Red line already runs from Tallaght to Connolly Station. The construction of the line extension, which links in at the Belgard stop, will begin this year and is due to be completed by the end of next year.
The Railway Procurement Agency has said that the project has been subject to a full cost benefit analysis and that the future revenue from passengers will be greater than the operating costs of the line.
Property developer Brendan Hickey, whose company is helping to fund the line extension, said the plan had taken eight years to come to fruition.
"There seems to be so much despair and despondency around that I think it's important that we send a message to the markets that we have great confidence in the future," he said.
Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
The 4.6km line will extend the current Red line service by a further five stops to areas including Saggart, Cheeverstown and the Citywest business campus in Dublin.
Yesterday, Mr Cowen said it was very significant that three developers had agreed to pay 55pc of the €150m cost.
"It really is an example of how you get a win-win situation in terms of development and also people getting a better quality of life due to the availability of public transport," Mr Cowen said.
The three developers include Citywest Hotel owner Jim Mansfield and Harcourt Developments, which count former RTE presenter Mike Murphy among its directors.
They have agreed to provide the land, a 300-space park and ride facility, and a cash donation of around €45m.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is providing the Luas trams, the track lines and the funding to run the service.
Mr Cowen said he believed the line extension would bring economic benefits to the west Tallaght community, which has suffered from social deprivation, vandalism and dereliction.
"I believe that this new line will act as a catalyst for further developments in the years ahead," he said.
The Luas Red line already runs from Tallaght to Connolly Station. The construction of the line extension, which links in at the Belgard stop, will begin this year and is due to be completed by the end of next year.
The Railway Procurement Agency has said that the project has been subject to a full cost benefit analysis and that the future revenue from passengers will be greater than the operating costs of the line.
Property developer Brendan Hickey, whose company is helping to fund the line extension, said the plan had taken eight years to come to fruition.
"There seems to be so much despair and despondency around that I think it's important that we send a message to the markets that we have great confidence in the future," he said.
Michael Brennan Political Correspondent
Irish Independent
www.buckplanning.ie
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