Residents in the International Financial Services Centre and Customs House area yesterday expressed concern about the removal of a seven-metre wall at the side of Connolly Station which, they said, gave them privacy and security.
At the public inquiry into a proposed light rail line from Store Street to the station, CIE said the wall between Connolly Station and Harbourmaster Place would be removed because it was part of the ramp and would be replaced by a wall and railings two metres high.
Mr Paul Farrell, a resident in IFSC apartments, said he would prefer the light rail line to terminate at Busaras. If it were to go ahead, he wanted the wall to be replaced. The road itself was private and there was a nice atmosphere and a sense of its own place. If the railing was put up it would be opened to the city.
He said that under the proposal driving into the IFSC would entail a detour of one or two miles around the back of the complex. Mr Michael Noonan, of the Custom House area residents' association and chairman of the management committee, said the wall afforded a level of security which the railings would not. When the Custom House end was opened up in this way, the crime level increased.
Mr Gavin O'Donnell, who carried out an impact study for solicitors McCann Fitzgerald who have offices in Harbourmaster Place, said that while the solicitors did not object in principle, further cognisance should be taken of the seclusion enjoyed there. With the proposed development, the offices would be exposed to the development and would lose a high level of seclusion.
He said the removal of trees and vegetation from the road would also be a loss of visual amenity. The removal of the wall would increase dust and noise.
Mr Bernard McHugh, who carried out an Environmental Impact Study for CIE, said the proposal was consistent with the Dublin Development Plan and the Dublin Docklands Master Plan.
He said the proposal would facilitate a direct link between Heuston and Connolly stations. The Luas service would link to the DART, outer-suburban and mainline rail at Connolly Station and also provide an easy interchange with provincial buses at Busaras.
He said the total population within convenient walking distance of the proposed stop was about 5,500.
Mr Ciaran De Burca, light rail project engineer at Dublin Corporation, said the corporation fully supported the light rail system. There were no objections in principle but they would be asking for certain conditions - details of stairs and escalators and design and lighting.