This page will describe the routing of the proposed extension of Luas Line B from Sandyford to Cherrywood. It will briefly describe the main features and issues. Despite the existence of the former Harcourt Street line the APA have elected in their ultimate wisdom to create a new alignment for much of the distance. The aligment between Sandyford and the stop knonw as Racecourse could not be upgrade to metro at later date owning to significant street running.
The rest of this page is broken into 3 sections, one for each for the areas the line has been divided for planning purposes. The full maps and plans are available here for download. Throughout this description, left will be the left side with repect to a tram traveling towards Cherrywood i.e in the southwards direction.
Area 13 - Sandyford to Glencairn
The line commences just south of Sandyford stop and takes a sweeping right turn to run on the grass bank on the left side of Blackthorn Avenue. The line then crosses Burton Hall Road at the current road junction and makes a 90 degree left turn. The line then climbs up a ramp to a height of approximately 6 meters and crosses the Leopardstown Roundabout by bridge. As the line crosses the roundabout it veers sharply to the right. The bridge links to the surface car park to the rear of the Vodafone building in Central Park.
The line proceeds in a straight line acrosss the rear of Central Park. A stop is proposed here. The line then crosses the M50 by a overbridge. Once across the M50 the line passes through a wooded area while it takes an easy left curve. The line then runs along a short section of the Murphystown Rd, this section of road is used for access only, the Murphystown Rd was realigned several yesars ago leaving this section behind.
At this point the line passes through Clonlea House. Clonlea House will require total demolition. This property is a listed structure of some importance and is currently a private residence. It is proposed to place a station known as Glencairn on the site of Clonlea House.
Area 14 - Glencairn to Ballyogan Wood
The line leaves the Glencairn stop and runs along the current green reservation parrallel to Glencairn View and Glencairn Heath. The line crosses the roundabout on the Glencairn Rd. The line then takes a left turn to run parallel to the Ballyogan Rd. the Ballyogan Rd will require significant realignment works to accommodate this.
A stop is to be placed between Glencairn Crescent and the Ballyogan Rd to be known as The Gallops. The line continues parrallel to the left of the Ballyogan Rd with a further stop at Leopardstown Valley. A electrical substation will be placed close to Leopardstown Abbey. The line contiues parrallel to Ballyogan Rd crossing Ballyogan Avenue.
Area 15 - Ballyogan Wood Bride's Glen
A stop known as Ballyogan Wood is planed south of the junction of Ballyogan Wood and the Ballyogan Road. The line then turns abruptly left and climbs to cross the M50 for a second time, the line then drops back to ground level and re joins the orignal Harcourt Street Bray railway alignment. A stop for 'occasional' use called Racecourse is porposed. It is located to the rear of houses on Brighton Court. No provision for access appears on the plans. This stop is a substantial distance from Leopardstown Race course and appears to serve no purpose whatsoever.
The line continues on the former alignment passsing under the Glenamuck Rd passing the former Carrickmines station. A stop is proposed just south of the orignal station site.
The line coniutes to follow the original alignment with proposed stops at Brennanstown and at Laughanstown just south of the crossing of Laughanstown Lane. A stop is also provided at the North end of the Cherrywood site to be known as Cherrywood. The line then deviates to the right and leaves the former railway alignemtn. The line crosses the Wyattville Link Road by bridge and terminates at a stop called Brides Glen which is situated to the rear of the Friends First building in Cherrywood.