Luas extension to the Point Depot

Date: 06 December 2005

The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen T.D. today (1st December 2005) received an application for a Railway Order to extend the Luas Red Line from Connolly Station to the Point Depot. This application brings the number of Luas projects that have been progressed since the launch of "Transport 21" to four.

The project extends the Luas Red Line for 1.5km from Connelly Station through the Docklands to the Point, serving existing and planned high-density commercial and residential developments. It will add almost two million passengers to the Luas network and will remove one million trips from the road network as well as catering for an expected 50% growth in employment and 100% growth in the population in the area.

The target completion date for the project is 2008 (subject to the outcome of the Railway Order process). At around the same time the Luas Cross City Link will be completed allowing Luas passengers from the Green line to access the area. In addition, there will be other major improvements to the Irish Rail system such as the new station in the Docklands, improved signalling and additional rolling stock. These projects will provide significant additional passenger capacity into the area from Maynooth, Drogheda and the DART.

Minister Cullen said: "Luas will carry over 20 million passengers this year as many people now choose to use public transport rather than their car. Transport 21 accelerates the move to deliver a transport infrastructure which supports economic activity at both local and national level. The extension of Luas to the Point Depot is a true example of connecting communities and promoting prosperity. In the longer term, the completion of the Interconnector will further improve the quality and quantity of public transport services in the Docklands, allowing direct access from the Kildare line and Heuston Station."

The next steps in the process will involve the appointment of an independent inspector to conduct a public inquiry.

A number of representatives from transport groups based in Edinburgh, Scotland also attended today's announcement. They were on a one day visit to Dublin to see first hand Dublin's Luas as they consider introducing a light rail system in Edinburgh.

ENDS

For further information contact Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 / 087 6430622