Sir, - It appears that, despite the valiant efforts by LUAS promoters over the years, their proposals are only now becoming a matter of public debate. Doubts are being voiced in many quarters about the practicality of the published scheme.
I would suggest that, instead of spending more money on consultants fees to produce yet another technical report, as envisaged, a better approach would be to construct a trial section of line. Immediate construction of an economic length - say, Heuston Station to Abbey Street, or Stephen's Green to Ranelagh - would help to identify teething problems and possibly speed up eventual construction of the full length, if successful. (If unsuccessful, it would point the way to sonic other approach.) Quick action is vital to ensure EU funding, of course.
This would enable the public and business community to assess for themselves the disruptive effects during construction, as well as enabling Irish Rail to experiment with various tramcar sets, light control systems, scheduling, etc. Changes in traffic pattern could be compared with predicted results, to ensure that the hoped for reduction in traffic congestion is achieved.
Because of the colossal amount of money involved, it would seem only prudent to try out the light rail system on a small scale, especially since we have little experience in this country of the problems likely to occur, during or after construction, of on street trackwork. Incidentally, it may be worth recalling that the old Dublin tramway system was constructed in stages. - Yours, etc.,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.