PRESS RELEASE - 28 July 2020
Dublin Commuter Coalition welcomes the Luas Finglas plans but stresses the need to bring forward funding for construction to ensure delivery before 2031
Dublin Commuter Coalition has broadly welcomed plans for the extension of the Luas Green Line to Finglas announced today by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority but highlighted the lack of government funding for construction before 2027 and the resultant 12-year design to delivery timeline.
Chairperson of Dublin Commuter Coalition, Kevin Carter, said “This is a hugely positive step forward for the communities of Finglas and Charlestown. Building on the redevelopment of Broombridge and the future development of the BusConnects corridor, it’s great to see this level of investment in one of Dublin’s often forgotten areas. We would encourage local communities to engage positively with the consultation, and encourage legislators to expedite the line’s delivery.”
Public Relations Officer of Dublin Commuter Coalition, Feljin Jose, said “While we welcome the announcement today, it's important to remember that the project itself is currently only funded for planning and design under the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Even though work on the alignment started in 2019, as it stands, construction won't start until after 2027 and won't finish until 2031 at the earliest. That doesn't square with the Programme for Government's goal to prioritise expansion of light rail. The project needs to be funded in full for earliest possible delivery."
Ordinary Member of the committee of Dublin Commuter Coalition, Hugo Fitzpatrick, said “When Luas extensions were provided to Saggart, The Point and Brides Glen, despite the dire economic circumstances of the bailout era, they did not face up to 12 years in design, planning and construction. Waiting until 2031 or later will further entrench existing problems of public transport access in the wider Finglas area. It may also further encourage high density developments based on both Bus Connects and the Luas, which may be completed before the first tram departs.”
There is some concern that a Park and Ride facility within the M50 and adjacent to busy road junctions may not be able to handle the attraction of traffic from the ring road and the M2. It may be worth exploring placing a more dedicated facility north of the M50.
Dublin Commuter Coalition would encourage that the line go further. A small addition to this planned line to link it with the Metrolink in Ballymun will enable a myriad of other journeys and take even more cars off the road. There was a missed opportunity to link the Metro with the DART at Donabate, we don’t believe this practice should continue, we should link up our outer lines where possible.