Most submissions to Luas inquiry seek minor changes to plan

The entrepreneur Ms Noelle Campbell-Sharpe, a Government Department, a trust established by the Overend sisters of Dundrum and some south Dublin residents' associations have emerged as the main interested parties at the Luas light rail inquiry, which got under way in Dublin yesterday.

At yesterday's hearing, the inquiry inspector, Judge Sean O'Leary, said the vast majority of submissions had come from objectors who wanted only minor changes in CIE's plans for the light rail system which utilises much of the former Harcourt Street railway line.

Judge O'Leary said he would classify the submissions into four categories. These were the applicant, CIE; supporters/opponents of the concept of light rail; supporters/opponents of a major portion of the proposal; and those who sought only minor changes.

While he noted that most of the objectors were in the last category, there was just one submission from a Kilbarrack-based organisation, the Transport Users Group, opposed to the concept of light rail.

The most numerous submissions were from residents' associations at the suburban end of the line, from Ranelagh to Sandyford.

Mr Victor Smith, of the Dundrum Area Combined Residents' Association, in a submission said no deadlines had been set for the extension of the line to Broadstone, resulting in a "standalone" route rather than the line being in an integrated system.

The inquiry also received notice of objections from many residents in the Lakelands area of Kilmacud, who complained of loss of rights of way, noise, light pollution, loss of part of their back gardens and the potential of the park-and-ride site for anti-social behaviour.

Ms Campbell-Sharpe, of The Origin Cigar Bar and Gallery at Harcourt Street, is concerned about the impact of the system on the architectural and aesthetic appeal of the street. The Stakis Hotel, at Charlemont Bridge, has objected to the proximity of the Charlemont Street stop.

The Airfield Trust, administrator of the late Overend sisters' 40-acre property in Dundrum, has objected to the route on the grounds of visual intrusion, security and interference with the trust's educational objectives.

The Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has submitted concerns about the alignment of the rail system at the west side of St Stephen's Green. This relates to the visual impact of the system on the "historic character" and "Victorian streetscape" of the green.

The Department has also expressed concern at the loss of 25 per cent of the existing lime trees, the location of an electricity sub-station, poles and cabling at St Stephen's Green West.

The Dublin City Centre Business Association hoped the concerns of the "statutory undertakers", such as the telephone companies, would be fully addressed. It also called for more stops near Grafton Street.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council expressed concerns about the provision of a cycle-way and the safety of the water main serving Stillorgan reservoir.

Judge O'Leary said for the inquiry he would divide the route into four sections; area seven, area eight, area nine and area 10 (the numbering extends from the Tallaght line which ended with area six).

He said the order of business would be that the CIE submission E would be taken first, over five working days from next Tuesday. The detailed evidence of CIE on each area would be taken last, with the dates to be advertised in national newspapers in advance.

Overall, the inquiry is expected to be completed before the end of the month. The judge will then make his report to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, who may approve, reject or amend the proposal.

The journey time between Sandyford and St Stephen's Green is expected to be 22 minutes, according to CIE. The proposal envisages 13 trams of 30 metres and a tram depot at Sandyford Industrial Estate.

Work is scheduled to begin in autumn 2000 and will take three years. The Dublin Transport Office has also drawn up a plan to later extend the system to serve Stepaside and Carrickmines.