The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Thursday) welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to allow the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) to develop a northbound stop on Dawson Street as part of Luas Cross City.
The new Luas line, Luas Cross City, which will run from the Green Line terminus at St. Stephen’s Green through the city centre, Phibsborough and Cabra to Broombridge, is on budget and on time for opening in Q4 2017. Provision has already been made for a southbound stop on Dawson Street.
The decision of the Board was based on the fact that the proposed development would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development in the area. The RPA, together with the National Transport Authority (NTA), who are funding Luas Cross City, will now include and plan for a northbound stop on Dawson Street.
Minister Donohoe said: ‘It is very welcome news that An Bord Pleanála has ruled to allow for a northbound stop on Dawson Street to be constructed as part of the new line. Luas Cross City is set to see what is an already extremely successful piece of transport infrastructure grow even further, with an additional 10 million journeys expected each year when it comes on stream.
“I know that this application had widespread support from key stakeholders in the business community, Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus and the community generally; a fact that has been acknowledged by both the RPA and the NTA. In particular, the business representative groups Dublin Town, Dublin City Business Association and Dublin Chamber of Commerce, together with individual businesses, offered fulsome support.
“I also know that the Luas Cross City team has been very active on the ground in engaging with local businesses as works have been progressing and that businesses along Dawson Street were particularly keen to have a northbound stop located there. This decision now means that a stop will be positioned half way between the St. Stephen’s Green and Westmoreland Street stops, leaving just 500 metres between stops. This means that access to the National Gallery, Trinity College, the National Library and other tourist attractions will be considerably enhanced. Accessibility for commuters getting around the city centre will also be significantly improved.
“As provision was already made in the contract for a northbound stop,there will be no additional costs or time added to the project on the back of this decision.”
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