More objections. More expense. More official procrastination. The dream of an efficient cross-city Luas system to service commuters while adding to the quality of pedestrian life by reducing traffic congestion and providing open public spaces is once again on hold. The latest bout of resistance by commercial interests is based on a proposal by Dublin City Council to construct a civic plaza at College Green and to ban east-west traffic into Dame Street. An Bord Pleanála has been called in to arbitrate.
At the turn of this century, intensive lobbying by centre city businesses caused the government to abandon plans to build a joined-up Luas system because of the disruption it would cause to commercial interests. Instead, the grandly isolated Green and Red lines went ahead and were opened in 2004. A further decade was to pass before work began on a joined-up Luas system, with a north-south element.
When connecting trams began to run last December, however, traffic light problems and serious congestion followed. A plan by Dublin City Council to ban all buses and taxis from crossing the Luas line at College Green into Dame Street had not been implemented. Objections to An Bord Pleanála by Dublin Bus, taxi organisations, city hoteliers and the Chamber of Commerce had seen to that. A Bord Pleanála hearing into these commercially-inspired objections may now be delayed for months because of bureaucratic incompetence.
Poor communication at official level and changing attitudes are partially to blame for the mess. The estimated cost of a new city plaza at College Green has risen from € 6m in 2016 to € 10m today. Alternative routes were suggested before a total ban on traffic crossing into Dame street was proposed. Whatever the grievances by various vested interests, they have to be sorted out, and quickly. From next March, much longer trams will operate on the north-south line and the potential for citywide disruption will grow. The experience of last month, when some buses and taxis encroached on Luas turning space and contributed to widespread congestion, shows what can happen.
Having invested a great deal of money in a joined-up Luas service, the Government has a responsibility to maximise its potential. This does not only involve putting bums on seats. The level of noisy, polluting city centre traffic should be reduced for health reasons. This would make Dublin more attractive to tourists. Excessively long waiting times at pedestrian crossings, which encourages jay walking and harks back to a time when the car was king, should be addressed.
College Green is one of Dublin’s greatest architectural set pieces and is now linked to other eighteenth century landmarks, Stephen’s Green and Parnell Square by the Luas. Developing and conserving these public spaces will require care and sensitivity.