Plans for new Luas lines 'should be fast-tracked'
One of the suggested circular lines would run from Finglas past DCU, through Drumcondra, along Griffith Avenue, and on to Marino and Fairview.
The Luas 2050 vision would also include new lines to Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Balgriffin, and Clongriffin, according to an internal presentation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). A new Luas line 'should be fast-tracked'. Pic: Getty Images
It said light rail would be a key part of future public transport in the capital and plans for new lines should be accelerated.
However, it found issues with the existing Luas network and highlighted that there are not enough trams on the Red Line which connects the Docklands to Tallaght and Saggart. It said there are constraints to increasing services and managing future demand, but there may now be an 'appetite to address' some of the challenges, given the success of the Luas network.
TII said longer 55-metre trams might not be a solution as they are slower, and so much of the Red Line is shared with cars. Pic: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie
It said that this has created possible safety issues, and more trams are needed instead of longer vehicles.
The presentation said the capacity of the Green Line, which runs from Broombridge to Sandyford and Bride's Glen is 'OK for [the] short term'. It said some changes and increases in service were possible, and this could be accommodated with the existing fleet of trams.
TII said there were issues with depots, with the main facility at Sandyford 'land constrained' and unsuitable for expansion. The presentation said there is room at Broombridge for an increase in size, but this is not ideal 'for operational reasons.' Pic: RollingNews.ie
It said an option around land acquisition and possible expansion at the Red Cow could also be looked at in the future. The slideshow also put forward the possibility of adding lines, including an ambitious plan for circle routes over the next 25 years.
It said in the short term, work should continue on an extension to Poolbeg as well as studies on the efficiency and flexibility of the Red and Green Lines.
The slideshow suggested a 'new Luas project' should be examined, with one possibility being a connection to UCD.
It also recommended moving forward with an extension to Bray with an indicative start date of between 2028 and 2030.
The document said workshops on accelerating project delivery would be useful to help speed up development of new projects.
The presentation said, from 2029 onwards, they should be starting work on a new Luas line every one to two years to have an advanced network by 2050.
A spokesman for TII said: 'Transport Infrastructure Ireland, taking a strategic look ahead to 2050, allows for public and decision-making bodies – such as the Department of Transport and National Transport Authority – to see where potential investments can be made to support the country's future growth and development.'
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