A planned extension of Dublin’s Luas Green Line between Broombridge and Charlestown via Finglas – known as Luas Finglas – has moved a step closer after a Preferred Route was unveiled as part of a major consultation exercise. The extension will see four new stops added to the already extensive network and will mainly constructed in grass track.
The preferred route is approximately 4km long with the four new stops provided at St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road and Charlestown. The route will leave the current Broombridge terminus and head north with 70% of the line due to be built using grass track. There will be two new bridges built over the railway line and the Tolka River close to Broombridge.
Following the original consultation on the proposed route there have been a number of changes to the preferred route including several amendments to the originally planned alignment in various sections of the line. Its also planned to re-site the St Helena’s stop slightly to the north to improve accessibility and interchange with bus routes whilst the St Margaret’s Road stop has been moved from its original location in Mellowes Park onto St Margaret’s Road moving it closer to the newly rezoned Jamestown Industrial Estate. (Full details of the Preferred Route and how its changed since the last proposal can be read at https://www.luasfinglas.ie/#/home#pr).
This is the next stage in the project which had started back in July 2020 when the Emerging Preferred Route was published. Since then over 700 submissions have been received and these were considered by the Luas Finglas Design Team before the Preferred Route was made public recently. They feel that this route offers a better solution in terms of maximising the long-term benefits of the project while minimising the overall negative impact in the short-term on local communities, especially during construction.
Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate Action and Communications, said: “his is a transformational and vital infrastructure investment for north Dublin, paving the way for local regeneration and sustainable growth for the area. Over 30,000 people live or work within one kilometre of the planned stops; highlighting the potential for this investment to have a profound impact on quality of life, as well as economic and social opportunities for local residents. As a nation, the challenge that confronts us around the climate emergency demands that we cut carbon by investing in sustainable transport. When Luas Finglas becomes operational, it is projected to result in an approximate reduction of 10,000 car trips daily. leading to improvements in air quality and curtailing harmful emissions.”
This isn’t the end of the process though as a further consultation now takes place on the Preferred Route. More details on how to be involved in the consultation are available at https://www.luasfinglas.ie/#/home with all submissions required by Thursday 20th January 2022. After this consultation a planning application for a Railway Order is expected in 2023.
Anne Graham, National Transport Authority CEO, said: “he extension of the Luas to Finglas is a clear example of the kind of progress we are making in our plans to invest in ambitious and exciting sustainable transport solutions. I believe that Luas has the potential to be transformative for this part of the city and that it will further enhance the area for people who live here, work here, or want to run a business here.”
Peter Walsh, Transport Infrastructure Ireland CEO, said: “Transport Infrastructure Ireland is delighted to launch the second round of consultation on these exciting plans. Public Consultation is always a vital step to ensure we deliver the best infrastructure solution that balances community needs with transportation requirements, and we hope anyone interested in the project will make a submission.”