Cullen Launches Consultation On Luas Link Route

Date: 25 November 2005

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen T.D., today (Thursday, 24th November 2005) launched a public consultation process on five potential routes for a new Luas line connecting the Tallaght and Sandyford Luas Lines. This is one of the first steps in the implementation of the project for which funding is being provided under Transport 21. The new connecting line is expected to attract an additional 5.5 million new Luas passengers a year.

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) has carried out a significant amount of technical work looking in particular at various route options. The All five routes run from St. Stephen's Green to O'Connell St. The routes are outlined in a newsletter that the RPA will be distributing widely.

Luas passengers and businesses and homes along the five routes will receive the newsletter informing them about the project. They will be invited to provide their comments to the RPA as part of the selection of a preferred route.

Dublin City Council, together with the Dublin City Centre Business Association, has indicated strong support for such a link.

Minister Cullen said: "I welcome this public consultation process as further evidence of the rapid implementation of "Transport 21". This is the third Luas project on which significant progress has been made since the launch of Transport 21 only three weeks ago. The linking of the two Luas lines will increase the number of passengers using the Luas by 25% and will be an important segment in the overall public integrated transport system announced in Transport 21."

ENDS

Further information: Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 / 087 6430622