Sir, - At last there is a debate about TCD's inner-city urban decay (Letters, April 19th). For the past two decades local residents and businesses have been fighting a losing battle with the college to try to stop it turning Pearse Street into a back alley of urban dereliction. With the aid of razor-wire, ugly railings, bricked-up buildings, glass footbridges and giant roller shutters, TCD has trashed what were once some of Dublin's most fashionable streets.
In the centre of our community they have built themselves a massive unwelcoming fortress.
Worse is yet to come: Trinity is planing to build a giant blank glass office block at the corner of Pearse Street and Westland Row, opposite our historic parish church, St Andrew's. Dublin City Council has instructed the college to put shops at street level in this building, in order to reverse the area's decay. Incredibly, TCD is appealing this condition to An Bord Pleanβla! - Yours, etc.,
John Devlin, Chairman, Pearse Street Rejuvenation Committee, Erne Terrace, Dublin 2.