Public inquiry into 7.5km Luas extension to Cherrywood opens

Matters surrounding the proposed extension of the Luas to Cherrywood in south Co Dublin were outlined at the start of a public inquiry into the proposal yesterday.

Inquiry inspector James Connolly SC was told that the design and integration of the system with existing roads and public transport services would be key.

He was also told that issues would be raised in relation to water mains, adverse impact on the environment and the demolition of listed property, as well as the impact on businesses in Sandyford and Leopardstown.

The railway lobby group Platform 11 has asked for time to make a submission and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council said it would raise a number of topics from engineering works to the planning and development issues raised by the building of a tramway.

The Railway Procurement Agency is seeking a railway order 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 through Ranelagh and Dundrum to Sandyford. When completed in 2010, the journey from Cherrywood to the city-centre is expected to take 41 minutes. Funding is to come from the State, with a 50 per cent contribution from property developers in the Cherrywood area.

At yesterday's brief hearing, the Gallops Residents' Association also sought representation regarding the treatment of a cul- de-sac in the vicinity of what will be the Glencairn stop.

While the former Harcourt Street railway line took a straight route from the Stillorgan reservoirs across Leopardstown Road, via Foxrock station, to Carrickmines, the Luas will follow a dog-leg diversion around Leopardstown racecourse to serve the more populated areas of The Gallops and Ballyogan.

This route will run through Central Park, Glencairn, The Gallops, Leopardstown Valley, Ballyogan Wood and the racecourse before reaching Carrickmines. It will cross the M50 between Central Park and the rear of Glencairn House, but will go back across the M50 between Ballyogan Wood and the racecourse stop.

The inquiry adjourned yesterday and will resume in Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel in Killiney next Monday. Submissions may be made to the inquiry secretariat at Ormond House, Ormond Quay.