Sir, - The many articles and letters on this subject lack one essential ingredient - vision. We seem to be trying to solve a transport problem without simultaneously trying to create something positive and useful for the 21st century - something to be used by all the people of Dublin and to be enjoyed by our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
Solving a transport problem with creativity can achieve this goal and we need look no further than the construction of the railway line to "Kingstown" in 1834. It caused an outcry of opposition because it obstructed the view and cut across what is now Booterstown marsh and Blackrock Park, through the rocky outcrop at Maretimo and across the gardens at Salthill.
Another example is the construction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour for the ferry service to Holyhead which equally generated opposition and caused immense disruption during construction work. But both facilities solved problems and are now, 150 years later, enjoyed by thousands through use of the DART and leisure activities.
What I have in mind for the Eastern By-Pass is the construction of a promenade from Irishtown/Ringsend to the west pier at Dun Laoghaire, about 250 metres outside the existing Strand Road and DART embankment.
This five-mile promenade could include frequent bathing places, with changing shelters, and being closer to deep water, would enable bathing for longer hours at full tide. Sandymount Strand would not be destroyed but merely "moved" 250 metres off-shore. Both the promenade and the strand would be enjoyed by thousands of people all the year round.
Inside the promenade a green sward of grass about 200 metres wide would be available for picnics, games and leisure activities, rather like the linear park from Fairview to Sutton. Along this grass strip car parks would provide thousands of spaces. Inside the grass strip a two lane highway, with few (if any) traffic lights but many pedestrian-operated crossing lights would operate with a strict 30 mph speed limit, and a two-way five-metre wide path would be available to cyclists. In other words, easy access for cars and bicycles to the city centre and proposed tunnel.
Access to the highway at Ringsend close to the glass factory is easy but there might be only two other access points over the DART line - Booterstown east of the DART station (to avoid the marsh and its bird life) and at the West Pier (or at Salthill) close to Dun Laoghaire. Construction costs should be much less than conventional road construction, provided builders rubble (not domestic refuse) is used for land-fill.
So I make my appeal to the Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council, planners, engineers and traffic consultants, to consider this idea, amend it where necessary, but strive to create a solution that will be enjoyed by thousands in 200 years time. - Yours, etc., David McCabe,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.