Sir, - It must be brought home to those who, for various reasons, have been opposing the proposed light rail system that this scheme if it is to work, will have to be given the necessary space by traffic management and by strict control of the private car, as has been done successfully in other cities. This will hurt the powerful lobby for the motor industry, which for decades has been setting the agenda for transport plans for Dublin, i.e. roads, roads and more roads.
After 30 years of this, the heart has been torn out of the city, but the congestion is worse than ever and those who depend on public transport are still second-class citizens. As Frank McDonald pointed out in his recent article, it is a proven fact that the more road space is provided, the more it fills up with cars.
Until the City Council changed some years ago, this powerful lobby had an ally in support of road-widening, which almost destroyed the city. Those of us who for decades fought this combination know, without any doubt, that without the Dublin Transportation Initiative, EU money and the very active participation of the many pro-public transport groups on the DTI consultative panel, there would be no hope for any meaningful public transport policy for Dublin.
One thing puzzles me. Together with representatives from many interested groups, I sat on the DTI consultative panel and we were kept informed of the process of public participation on these transport proposals. It was probably the most extensive process of this kind ever undertaken here. The present controversy should have taken place at that time. So where were they all?
We won't get this opportunity again. The system won't be perfect, but it's a good start. Let us grab it while we can and fight instead for what could help to perfect it - the line to Ballymun, a link to the mainline stations, access for mobility-impaired and elderly people, and other issues which could go by default while politicians fight a battle which should have taken place three years ago, and pander to a roads lobby which will never give up because it has too much to lose. - Yours, etc.,
The Living City Group, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.