Sir, - One aspect of the LUAS debate which seems to have been ignored is that with the "on-ground" proposal, the city would be visually blighted by a catenary of overhead cables and attendant support structures. Photographs we have been shown of similar systems elsewhere seem to have been carefully taken or edited to avoid showing the appallingly ugly overhead wiring which the tram system requires.
Dublin enjoys a virtually cable-free sky thanks to co-operation between Dublin Corporation, the ESB and Telecom Eireann. This has not been without cost, I am sure, and it is an investment which has been very worthwhile.
Dublin Corporation Planning Department - and indeed all other planning authorities in the country - have refused to allow the placing of electrical, telephone and other wiring above ground. Conditions are attached to any planning permission for development of reasonable scale requiring the placing of such wiring underground. This has had the most beneficial affect upon urban visual quality and has been a move with which most people would readily agree.
Is this salutary achievement to be totally ignored in this rush to push for the overground LUAS solution? Surely planning permission is required for all of these proposed overhead wiring networks and support pylons - or is this to be conveniently overlooked? Many who are in favour of the overground solution may not have known the mess of overhead wiring associated with the old trams.
Others may have, but have forgotten. If any have any doubt about it, I would commend them to have a look at some old photographs. Should the LUAS eventually find itself operating overground it will be a visual disaster for the city and a denial of all the good work undertaken in the past. - Yours etc., R. G. Chandler, FRIAI,
Lad Lane,
Dublin 2.