Luas extension should go ahead, says report

The extension of the Luas from Sandyford to Cherrywood in south Co Dublin should go ahead, the report of the public inquiry into the scheme has concluded.

The extension is designed to almost double the length of the Luas green line, adding another 7.5km (4.6 miles) to the 9km (5.5 miles) route from St Stephen's Green. A formal approval of the scheme by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is expected in time to allow construction to begin before the end of the year.

In his report, inquiry inspector James Connolly SC recommended the line be capable of upgrade to a metro service; that noise barriers be installed at an elevated section at Leopardstown roundabout; and that the Fisheries Board should be consulted in advance of work near watercourses.

The inspector has asked Mr Cullen to cover the legal costs of Mr and Mrs Gerard Delaney whose home Clonlea House, a protected structure, is to be demolished to make way for a stop at Glencairn, Sandyford.

However, the inspector's report avoided a contentious question of when the proposed Luas line should be upgraded to a metro line. In evidence at the hearing, the director of the Dublin Transportation Office, John Henry, called for "a detailed plan" of the upgrade which he said would be required in five to 10 years.

The upgrade to metro would involve lengthening platforms and altering road interchanges. In addition, because metros travel faster, some stops which are too close to each other would have to be closed.

However, the Railway Procurement Agency told the inquiry that an upgrade would not be required until after 2020 and it questioned "whether the time savings due to a metro travelling faster would compensate for passengers walking further to metro stations".

According to the Government's Transport Strategy, Transport 21, the line to Sandyford will be completed by 2010. It will follow the route of the Old Harcourt Street to Bray railway. A further extension to Bray is envisaged by 2015.