Sir, - In a recent letter Niall Andrews, MEP, reiterated his series of concerns relating to the proposed light rail project for Dublin. Having been involved in the consultative process of the DTI for past three years, and knowing that the politicians had their own consultative panel for the DTI, I am very surprised at Mr Andrews's lack of knowledge on the subject given his "capacity as a member of the European Parliament representing the people of Dublin City and County". This consultation was the most intensive ever undertaken in Dublin in relation to public transportation, and cost over £2.5m over a three year period.
Contrary to Mr Andrews's assertion that the proposed LRT will not be connected to any mainline systems, I wish to point out that LUAS will, in fact, directly link the biggest mainline rail station in the country, Heuston Station, with the city centre and outlying areas of Tallaght and Dundrum.
On the ongoing subject of consultation, a business consultative committee of which the Dublin City Centre Business Association (DCCBA), the Chamber of Commerce and An Taisce are members, among others, has been established to meet with LUAS representatives on a regular basis. This committee meets to plan the implementation of the light rail system for Dublin in a way which will minimise the impact on city retailers.
At a community level, I am informed that the LRT project team has attended over 250 meetings with interest groups and individuals since January.
It is a matter of astonishment that at a time when an emergency Dail meeting was held to discuss crime on our streets, some public representatives are advocating tunnels under the city centre. This without putting forward any proposals for security in relation to terrorism or personal safety, or having any apparent regard for total costs involving the arrangements that would be needed to secure such facilities.
Regarding the tunnelling question, the whole issue of an underground in Dublin has been extensively researched and rejected by successive Governments and the DTI. It was rejected not only on a cost basis, but on the grounds that it was deemed unsuitable for Dublin. An underground would do nothing to address the crippling traffic congestion and pollution levels in the city.
The view was upheld by international experts and, crucially, the people of Dublin, in a recently published survey. This cited fears for personal safety, the environment and pollution as the main reasons against an underground. In relation to a heavy rail link to Dublin Airport, Mr. Andrews will find details concerning this proposal in the DTI Phase 2 Final Report.
The choice is clear. Either we press ahead with the DTI plans for on street light rail and all 11 quality bus routes, or we allow the commercial and social life of Dublin to be strangled by an ever increasing volume of traffic. - Yours etc.,
Chief executive,
Dublin City Centre Business
Association,
40 Dawson Street,
Dublin 2.