A chara, – It was with great disappointment but little surprise that I read the recent article regarding the decision by the Government to cancel the Dart Underground project ("Government abandons Dart Underground project", September 8th). Once again the Government has taken a very shortsighted approach to the provision of quality public transport infrastructure, and in addition it has once again wasted several million euro of taxpayers' money that has already been spent in the planning of a vital project.
During the so-called Celtic Tiger period, Dublin was choked with traffic, a situation that will soon be apparent once more. As far back as 1972 transport consultants reported that Dublin would require a rapid-rail transit system as the planned motorways (which we now have) could never relieve the city of congestion.
Only one component of the 1972 plan actually happened as originally envisaged and that was the Dart line electrification from Howth to Bray.
CIÉ had actually acquired land in the city for what was envisaged as the underground component of the original plan but was later forced to sell it by another government that ignored the massive potential benefits and thereby condemned the city to another generation of choking traffic and poor public transport.
Now here we are again with the current Government repeating the massive mistakes of the past and condemning the city once more to being the poor cousin of other European capitals, whose politicians and decision-makers did have the foresight to provide proper rail-based transport solutions. – Is mise,
DOMHNALL Ó MUIRÍ,
Leamhcán,
Co Bhaile Átha Cliath.
Sir, – Any argument that this decision was made on a cost basis is undermined by the ridiculous proposal to construct a wholly inappropriate white elephant Luas extension to Dublin Airport which will not have the capacity to serve the airport or surrounding areas adequately.
I would appeal to the Minister and all others concerned to reconsider. – Yours, etc,
BREANDÁN Ó MEISCILL,
Harold’s Cross, Dublin 6.