[Colm Moore]

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Luas Cherrywood Launch
Luas Cherrywood LAUNCH

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen T.D.officially opened the new Luas Cherrywood (Line B1) extension today (October 16th, 2010). The official opening was also attended by the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Lettie McCarthy, local representatives, local residents, RPA’s private sector partners and other key stakeholders. The opening event was held in the Treasury Holdings Central Park Building which is adjacent to the new Luas Central Park Stop.

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RPA submitted a Railway Order Application for this project in November 2005 which was followed by a Public Inquiry in March 2006. This Order became effective in January 2007 and construction work started shortly thereafter. RPA is pleased to note that the new line has been delivered within the agreed timeframe and within budget.

It is expected that the new 7.5 km line will add over 2 million passenger journeys a year to the Luas network and is a key component of the Government’s Transport 21 investment programme. The cost of the Cherrywood extension is less than €300million and the main infrastructure contractors were the international consortium Sacyr Bowen Somague; utility diversion works for the project and construction of the Ballyogan Road were carried out by SIAC and bridge construction was by Laing O’Rourke. Luas Cherrywood has been included in the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council development plan for some time and the Council was a partner in delivering the project. RPA also entered into direct agreements with a number of private sector developers.

There are 9 new Stops on the line at Central Park, Glencairn, The Gallops, Leopardstown Valley, Ballyogan Wood, Carrickmines, Laughanstown, Cherrywood and Brides Glen. There are also two future stops: Racecourse and Brennanstown. These two stops will open for passenger service in advance of development in their immediate catchment area.

Journey time from Brides Glen to Saint Stephen’s Green is less than 40 minutes.

Welcoming the opening of the Luas extension to Cherrywood, the Taoiseach said "This new extension of the Green Luas Line is a further development in our infrastructure investment programme which offers sustainable public transport and paves the way for the creation of a fully integrated network. The Government’s Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2016 sets out a comprehensive transport programme which aims to increase Luas passenger numbers to 42 million by 2016. This programme will contribute to economic recovery, support employment, deliver important social infrastructure, and assist the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

RPA Chief Executive, Mr. Frank Allen said that this was a major milestone in developing an integrated public transport network for the Greater Dublin Area and will add to the competitiveness of business parks in, Central Park, Carrickmines and Cherrywood. He noted that Luas passenger numbers are showing a strong recovery with Red Line passengers increasing by more than 10% in June to October 2010 compared with the same period in 2009.

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