The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) is to meet public representatives from Ballymun tomorrow in a bid to find a solution to local concerns about Dublin's Metro North. Tim O'Brien reports.
Local politicians and representatives of Ballymun Regeneration, who have already met the RPA on one occasion, want the metro to run underground.
But while the RPA agreed to consider its options following the last meeting, a spokesman insisted going underground "is not being considered".
The Irish Times understands that cost is a critical factor in the agency's deliberations.
However, Labour TD for the area Róisín Shortall said no other option was suitable for the community or for the success of the line, and she believed it would become an election issue if the RPA did not accede to local wishes.
The three options for the route through the north Dublin suburb include an overground "on stilts" option; running the train line up the median of Ballymun Road and Main Street; or running it in a trench along the median.
But locals point to the presence of three junctions on Ballymun's Main Street at which they claim a high-speed train could not be expected to stop and queue at traffic lights. They also believe the line would represent a permanent barrier down the middle of Main Street, a feature which it is claimed would negate much of the refurbishment in the area.
Locals are also strongly opposed to the elevated option, claiming that such a design has led to anti-social behaviour underneath similar rail-lines in other cities.
They say there is also an issue with the route passing houses at first-floor level, as passengers would have a direct line of sight into private homes.
The third option to put the line in a trench is also less than desirable, according to Ms Shortall, who said it it would be a potential hazard.
If agreement cannot be reached at tomorrow's meeting, locals have pledged to make it an election issue.
But the RPA told The Irish Times last night it was satisfied that it was proceeding with the plans as they were proposed in the public consultation.
The agency said it was prepared to look at all the options and "work through the difficulties", but it repeated that putting the metro underground at Ballymun "is not being considered".