Sir, - There must be many people who, like me, have vivid memories of the old Dublin tramway system - the lines of pylons and overhead wires which disfigured our streets; the metal rails which, especially when worn, were a hazard to all other users of the road and, not least, the lack of manoeuverability of the trams themselves. Are we to return to all this, albeit in a modified form? The new coaches will be longer than the old trams, and will take even more space on the street.
There is only one way to reduce traffic congestion in the city, and that is to go underground. This makes so much sense that it is hard to see why any alternative has been considered. Cost must not be the primary factor in this decision and, in any case, there are likely to be no major geological problems in tunnelling under Dublin. We are planning a transport system that has got to last us long into the 21st century, so we must get it right from the beginning.
Our decision makers should visit the metros in some of the smaller cities in Europe I suggest Lisbon - and see what really can be achieved. Yours, etc..
Professor of Geography,
(Emeritus),
Hifferest Road,
Sandyford.
Co Dublin.