Sir, – It comes as some disappointment, although no great surprise, to learn that 85 per cent of Dublin Bus passenger journeys could be subject to delays of up to 10 minutes, particularly on cross-city routes, by the proposed BXD Luas city centre link (Home News, August 25th).
All northbound traffic passing through the 1.5km stretch between Westland Row and Christchurch must funnel through College Green in order to cross the Liffey. This is because cross-city traffic routes are constricted by two large blocks; Temple Bar and Trinity College. There is no above-ground solution to the problems arising from these blocks; they must be tunnelled under. It is clear therefore that the Luas must eventually go underground, and better sooner than later.
The current BXD proposal is a cut-price option that follows the pattern of trying to achieve too much with too little; “spoiling the ship for a ha’porth of tar”. The obvious solution is for Luas to go underground from Stephen’s Green via a (relatively) inexpensive cut-and-cover route under Dawson Street, and a tunnel under TCD emerging in Hawkins Street to cross the river via the proposed new bridge there. – Yours, etc,