BXD and the city

Sir, – Further to Frank McNally’s musings (An Irishman’s Diary, November 30th) on the nomenclature of the proposed new Luas …

Sir, – Further to Frank McNally’s musings (An Irishman’s Diary, November 30th) on the nomenclature of the proposed new Luas line to Broombridge, I wish to allay his fears lest he think that the Railway Procurement Agency would ever do anything to further “banjax” (or otherwise!) his fair city.

The background to “BxD” is that it was the in-house reference to the planned cross-city line linking St Stephen’s Green to a line from Broadstone to Broombridge. The latter was referred to as Line D. The Green or Harcourt Street Line was known as Line B, ergo BxD with X representing the as-of-then undetermined link through the city centre.

When Luas Broombridge becomes operational, the entire line from Cherrywood to Broombridge will be known as the Green Line. Therefore, in Frank McNally’s parlance, assuming that Romeo is currently Green Line based, he will, in the not too distant future be able to make further advances towards Juliet on the extended Green Line and may even engage with her conveniently under Clery’s clock, thanks to Luas. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL SHEEDY,

Director Light Rail,

Railway Procurement Agency,

Parkgate Street,

Dublin 8.