Madam, - I am interested in recent reports about a proposal to build a weir on the River Liffey near the Custom House. As a Clondalkin councillor my reason for being interested in this proposal is simple. In time (2006?) the double railway track coming westwards from Heuston Station through Clondalkin is to be increased to four tracks, two dedicated to commuter traffic and two to inter-city traffic. This is to be linked to an enhanced commuter service from which the people of Clondalkin, Lucan and other places are supposed to benefit.
This service is urgently needed by Clondalkin's hard-pressed commuters. The service would be greatly improved if water taxis linked Heuston Station along the Liffey towards the city centre. If this was done commuters arriving in Heuston Station could make the journey towards the city centre much more quickly than sitting in a bus on the already overjammed quays.
I realise other proposals exist to bring commuters from the south west of the city and Kildare into Dublin and I have no problem with that. However, I think the water bus idea should be pursued. To this end I am raising the matter on my local county council (south Dublin) with a view to trying to get the waterbus idea afloat. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr ROBERT DOWDS,
Castle Park,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.