The Preferred Route for Luas Finglas will be published today, following a very positive reaction to the Emerging Preferred Route which was published in July 2020. Over 700 submissions were received and these were taken into account by the Luas Finglas Design Team in consultation with the local communities, local representatives, business interests and stakeholders generally.
This route or alignment 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.
Luas Finglas is the extension of the Luas Green Line from Broombridge to Charlestown via Finglas. It will add four new stops to the line and create a key public transport connection between the communities of Charlestown, Finglas Village, Finglas West, St Helena’s and Tolka Valley to the city centre.
The National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have developed this Preferred Route for Luas Finglas and are inviting comments from all stakeholders and members of the public on the proposed route.
Luas Finglas will be constructed mostly in grass track, an attractive innovation in Ireland, and the cycling facilities will align with and complement the draft Cycle Network Plan 2021 for the Greater Dublin Area recently published by the NTA.
These proposals are subject to further statutory public consultation and to a planning application for a Railway Order in 2023.
Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate Action and Communications said: “This 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.”
Anne Graham, National Transport Authority CEO, said “The 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.”
Submissions on the proposed route can be made on www.luasfinglas.ie where all details of the Preferred Route can be found.