CIE has invited the public and interested groups to a series of meetings on its plans for extending the proposed LUAS light rail line from Balally, Dundrum to Sandyford, Co Dublin. The suggested route of the extension along the old Harcourt Street railway line, has now been published. The company proposes that the extension to the original plans would start at a 500-space "park and ride" car park in Balally, opposite the Crazy Prices Shopping Centre. It would pass near St Benildus College to the Upper Kilmacud Road. In the Lakelands area the route would continue to follow the old Harcourt Street Railway line to a stop at Sandyford by the Stillorgan Reservoir. Two blocks of 250 car spaces each may be provided there.
The company's Light Rail Project Office has posted 11,000 notices to households in the area of the proposed route of the final part of the line. A public consultation process is needed before approval to construct can be granted by the Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke.
The office said it was particularly keen to hear the views of representative groups, as well as individuals.
The LUAS is to be built over three years, with construction due to start next year.
When the full system is complete three spokes will radiate from the city centre - to Ballymun on the north side of the city, and to Tallaght and Sandyford on the south. The project designers say they will save trees where they can, and plant new ones to replace any which have to be cleared. Cycleways adjacent to parts of the line are also being planned.
However, the company said details were not finalised and it would welcome the public's views on such matters as the location of stops, the size and location of car parks, cycleway plans and expected noise levels from the new system.