Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has made a decision in relation to the Luas D line; his views on securing one railway order for the Luas BX and Luas D lines; the time scale and procedures for the development of the Luas BX and Luas D lines; when the BX route will be finalised and when the route for Luas D will be selected; when the public consultation will commence; and whether Luas BX and Luas D will be treated as one project and constructed concurrently. [18176/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Transport 21 provides for the development of a Luas line from St. Stephen's Green to Liffey Junction (Lines BX, D), using the old Broadstone railway alignment. Luas Line BX runs from St. Stephen's Green to O'Connell St., while Luas Line D is the onward extension of the line from O'Connell St. to Liffey Junction.

I recently mandated the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to proceed with planning the delivery of Line BX/D, based on the Agency's preferred route for Line BX and the use of the Old Broadstone railway alignment for Line D.

It will not be possible to fully construct Luas Line BX at the same time as construction of Metro North because of the traffic management implications which would arise in the city centre. The RPA is developing a construction strategy for Luas Line BX, in close co-operation with Dublin City Council, which includes use of Metro North construction sites and recognises the traffic management requirements of the city centre.

In addition, the RPA is currently exploring the options for optimising the design of the connection of the two lines. This is being done on the basis that Line D will be developed contemporaneously with Line BX. The RPA is engaging with Dublin City Council on the basis that it is its intention to make a single railway order application for the combined Line BX — D to An Bord Pleanála in the latter part of next year.

I understand from the RPA that public consultation on Line D route options will commence this summer, with identification of a preferred route option likely later this year.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 260: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will include Riverside and Clonshaugh in new proposals for light rail/Metro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18179/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While Transport 21 involves a very large commitment of financial resources, those resources are also finite. Transport 21 provides funding for the delivery of an extensive prioritised rail based network in the ten-year period to 2015. This programme does not include a light rail or metro line to Riverside and Clonshaugh.

As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to commence the preparation of a successor to Transport 21 in 2011. It is in the context of any successor to Transport 21 that consideration will be given to proposals for new light rail/metro lines.