Archaeological remains along Luas line may lead to route change

The Luas extension from Sandyford to Cherrywood in south County Dublin is facing a potential "Carrickmines-style" campaign of opposition, following the discovery of significant archaeological remains along its route.

The Railway Protection Agency (RPA) has been advised that its preferred alignment along Ballyogan Road traverses a number of recorded national monuments. The advice was contained in an a report from McHugh Consultants commissioned by the RPA, and released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.

The McHugh report identified sites of a watermill, earthworks and a settlement at Ballyogan Road, which would be dissected by the RPA's preferred route alignment. It also identified the Carrickmines interchange as another site of archaeological interest through which it is proposed Luas will traverse.

The report concluded that Luas should utilise the old Harcourt Street Railway line, to the east of Leopardstown Racecourse to avoid the national monuments associated with the Ballyogan Road option.

However the RPA has continued to favour the Ballyogan Road option and plans are now at an advanced stage for a public inquiry based on this alignment.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has begun imposing development levies of about €5,000 per new home on developments within 1 km either side of the proposed Ballyogan alignment.

A consortium of businesses associated with the 400-acre Cherrywood residential, commercial and industrial development at Cherrywood is backing the Luas extension through the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Light Rail Company Limited which is seeking a public private partnership with the RPA to develop the line.

The RPA said it was hoping to raise about €120 million in development levies, about half the cost of the extension which would also serve the Central Park Industrial park in Leopardstown.

The chief executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Light Rail, Mr Willie Murray, said yesterday he had not seen the archaeologists' report and could not therefore comment.

He said his company was working with the RPA and plans were well advanced.

Mr Vincent Salafia, a spokesman for the group concerned with the conservation of the archaeological remains of Carrickmines Castle, said the group's concern was "to protect all national monuments".

"There may be other cases to be taken. Now is the time to look at the whole thing, in the light of the Carrickmines junction."

The Fine Gael TD for Dublin South, Ms Olivia Mitchell, who has campaigned for the Luas extension, said yesterday that she could "scarcely believe something as light as light rail on the existing Ballyogan Road could cause archaeological concern".