Sir – Duncan Stewart is absolutely right in questioning both the economic case for, and the environmental impact of, this hugely expensive Metrolink project (“Metrolink plan ‘seriously flawed’, says environmentalist and architect Duncan Stewart”, News, March 27th).
I am fortunate to live quite close to a Luas park-and-ride stop and can say that overall the tram provides a reliable method for reaching the city centre. I suggest that the money would be better spent on extending the Dart and Luas networks, reopening some of the rail lines to what are now dormitory towns, for example Navan, and, as a number of people have suggested, linking Dublin Airport to the mainline rail network.
I would also have to take issue with the claim by Dr Avril Challoner, an environmental specialist engaged by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, that once operational, 100 per cent of Metrolink’s energy use would be from renewable sources.
Taking account of the current and projected resources available to store electricity, does this imply that Metrolink would run only when it is sunny or windy!
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Given the State’s record in completing large-scale projects either within budget or on time, it is most unlikely that Metrolink, if pursued, will be any different.
I would confidently predict that there will be a manned research station on the Moon before the railway tracks reach Dublin Airport. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER HONE,
Dublin 22.
Sir, – Comments by respected architect and environmentalist Duncan Stewart need to be taken seriously and acted upon.
Specifically, Mr Stewart was reported as saying that the design of Metrolink was flawed because of its narrower rail-gauge width of 1,400 mm, thus making the project incompatible with Dart, Intercity and commuter trains in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
If the Government truly had vision with regard to the climate crisis and reducing carbon emissions, they would be maximising the current rail infrastructure by making the proposed Metrolink project compatible with the existing rail gauge.
The potential for the creation of incipient urban network in Dublin would be wasted if Metrolink is built as a stand-alone line.
Imagine the possibility and economic benefits of having a train from Belfast to Saint Stephen’s Green, or being able to take a seamless and uninterrupted trip from Swords to Bray or Howth to O’Connell Street?
Apart from the environmental benefits, delivering trainloads of passengers directly into the heart of the city centre would rejuvenate and revitalise Dublin and have a positive impact upon job creation, tourism and hospitality.
All of this could be made possible by constructing Metrolink with a rail gauge of 1,600mm, and linking it to the current network, with a short spur line at Clongriffen and Tara Street.
When one views with envy the extensive underground network in London, with some of the older tunnels constructed by hand, it is hard to be enthusiastic about stand-alone, isolated lines that will never become part of an integrated system once built.
Before €9.5 billion of public money is spent on a singular rail line, the real potential of creating a network, by utilising and leveraging the existing rail infrastructure, should be explored and taken into consideration.
Future generations won’t thank us for our lack of vision if we proceed as planned. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS O’CONNOR,
Crumlin,
Dublin 12.