Motorcyclists warn of Luas rail dangers

The planned Luas tracks are dangerous for motorcyclists, especially where they cross a road at an angle, the Irish Motorcyclists' Action Group told the light rail inquiry in Dublin.

Addressing the inquiry into the Tallaght-Middle Abbey Street line yesterday, Mr John Wheeler, a spokesman for the group, said it had been recognised by tram companies worldwide that where motorcycle traffic was forced to cross tram lines at anything close to 45 degrees, accidents inevitably resulted.

Mr Wheeler said the instability caused by crossing tram lines at 45 degrees, in conjunction with wet weather and prevailing traffic conditions, was "likely to cause the loss of control of the vehicle with potentially disastrous consequences".

He invited the inquiry inspector, Judge Sean O'Leary, to examine the proposed Naas Road crossing east of the Red Cow interchange, where tracks cross the road at an angle of 45 degrees. "The tram crossing is in the braking area for the Red Cow interchange, the busiest junction in the country," he said.

Mr Wheeler said there would be similar difficulties with Belgard Road, the M50 roundabout, Turnpike Road, the Long Mile Road , Kylemore Road, Davitt Road, Suir Road, James's Street, Stephen's Lane, St John's Road, Benburb Road, Benburb Street, Smithfield, Church Street, Chancery Street and Upper Abbey Street, practically the whole urban section of the Tallaght line.

"Motorcyclists feel that we have been written out of the planning scenario and so must have been written out of any safety considerations," Mr Wheeler said.