Minister Ryan secures approval for the Luas Finglas project
- Foilsithe: 22 Deireadh Fómhair 2024
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
- Government approves extension of Luas tram network to Finglas
- project to enter the planning system before Christmas
- project supports housing and enhanced, sustainable public transport system
Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, has secured agreement from the Cabinet today (22 October 2024) for the Luas Finglas project to enter the planning system.
This major public transport project will extend the existing Luas tram network northwards by almost 4km from Broombridge to the Finglas area, with stops at St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road, and Charlestown near the M50. The route will provide interchanges with Broombridge train station which is on the planned DART+ West line, as well as bus services.
Following government approval today, a Railway Order (planning) application for the Luas Finglas project will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by this December. The project is managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA). It is one of four Luas tram extensions identified in the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042. If accelerated, the Luas Finglas line could be operational by 2031, subject to planning and funding.
The Luas Finglas project will create a new high-capacity, frequent and speedy public transport connection for communities in the Finglas area, shortening journey times to/from Dublin city centre to approximately 30 minutes or less and providing for connections to other destinations. The project will support increased housing supply close to the route, in support of the government’s goals for transport orientated development and the transition to a zero-carbon transport system.
The tram route is mostly off-road and segregated from road traffic. As well as the tram line, the project will provide for improvements to the walking and cycling network in the area. In addition, a 350-vehicle park and ride facility is to be provided near the St Margaret’s Road stop. Overall, Luas Finglas is anticipated to generate an additional 1.3 million low-carbon public transport trips in 2035, increasing to 1.8 million in 2050.
Minister Ryan said:
“The government’s approval of the Luas Finglas project today forms part of our commitment to significantly invest in public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system. Since it started 20 years ago, the Luas tram system has been a public transport success story for Dublin’s citizens and visitors. We can look forward to the Luas extending to Finglas along a green track line that will open up lands for more transport orientated housing development along the way, which we really need.
“The Luas Finglas project will bring reliable, high-frequency and sustainable transport to well-established and new communities, allowing people to access opportunities for employment, education, healthcare and other services. I am delighted that the government’s approval today starts that journey.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said:
“It is very positive to see progress on Luas Finglas, a project that was identified as a key priority in our GDA Transport Strategy, 2022-42.
“I believe that an ambitious and exciting project like this has the potential to be transformative for this part of the city and that it will further enhance the area for people who live here, work here, or want to run a business here.”
Peter Walsh, CEO of TII, said:
“The government’s decision to allow TII to seek planning approval for the 4km extension of the Luas system is a very appropriate 20th Birthday present for the Luas system. The 20 years of Luas in Dublin has enabled delivery of compact growth in parts of the city such as the IFSC, City West, Cherrywood and Sandyford.
“Luas provides zero-emission sustainable mobility and contributes to Climate Action by attracting people out of their cars. All at TII look forward to delivering more Luas services for Dublin and other cities in Ireland.”
Notes
Under the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines, Exchequer investment proposals with an estimated capital cost of over €200 million require government consent for approval. This is the case for the Luas Finglas project. With today’s decision, the government has issued Approval Gate 1 approval in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. This enables the project to enter the planning system, with the Railway Order application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála before this Christmas. Following planning approval, the project will be brought to Government for final consideration under Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Luas Finglas project involves an extension of the Luas Green Line from Broombridge, which at present is both a Luas terminus and a heavy rail station, to the Finglas area. The preferred route is almost 4 km in length, serving an estimated population of 56,000 by 2035 at four new stops for communities in the Finglas area: St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road and Charlestown. In future, the Broombridge stop will form part of the DART+ West route between Maynooth/M3 Parkway and Dublin, thus providing a direct interchange with DART services. A map of the Luas Finglas route is below.
Overall, the Luas Finglas project will create a new high-capacity, frequent and speedy public transport connection for communities in the Finglas area, serving Dublin city centre and beyond. The project anticipates a frequency of 8 trams per hour/direction on initial operation. There will be a journey time of around 13 minutes between Charlestown and Broombridge, and circa 30 minutes between Charlestown and Trinity College. When compared with travel by private car, the tram is expected to lead to an average reduction in journey times to/from the city centre of 15 minutes (around 30%) during peak periods.