BERNARD C. BYRNE,
Sir, - The proposals announced for a metro link to Dublin Airport look very ambitious and costly. As an airport service it will lose its objective and benefit if it must serve the communities between its point of origin and the airport, unless dedicated units provide an express service.
The quickest connection to Dublin Airport can be made using the existing DART network, with an express service originating at Grand Canal Dock serving intermediate city centre stations and Howth Junction as an interchange.
With the construction of a new short spur line from a location on the main line south of Malahide to the airport, the connection can be made quickly and relatively cheaply using existing infrastructure and services.
Throughout Europe, heavy rail connections to airports are a feature of principal cities and sooner or later (more likely later!) Dublin will move in that direction. The most logical and practical route is the one suggested here. - Yours, etc.,
BERNARD C. BYRNE, Newbrook Avenue, Dublin 13.