Northbound Luas will stop in Dawson Street

An Bord Pleanala has given the green light for Luas Cross City to include a northbound stop on Dawson Street.
The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) was granted permission last week by the planning authority to develop the stop on Dawson Street as part of Luas Cross City.
Work continues around the city on the new Luas line that acts as a connector tram running from the Green Line terminus at St Stephen’s Green through the city centre, Phibsborough and Cabra to Broombridge. This line is set to open towards the end of 2017.
Provision has already been made for a southbound stop on Dawson Street.
Spokesman for the RPA Tom Manning said they are “very happy” that the application for this northbound stop has been successful and that the inclusion of the stop will “significantly enhance” the Luas Cross City line.
He said works on Luas Cross City are “on schedule” and “on budget”. “We allowed for this [stop] within the budget so there is no extra cost. We are also very happy that businesses in the centre of the city have been so supportive”.
Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “I know that this application had widespread support from key stakeholders in the business community, Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus and the community generally; a fact that has been acknowledged by both the RPA and the NTA.
“This decision now means that a stop will be positioned half way between the St Stephen’s Green and Westmoreland Street stops, leaving just 500m between stops… Access to the National Gallery, Trinity College, the National Library and other tourist attractions will be considerably enhanced,” he said.
According to Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the inclusion of this northbound stop on Dawson Street will make Luas Cross City more accessible to a greater number of people.
The original plans for the northbound line would have meant no stop between St Stephen’s Green and Westmoreland Street.
“Without a stop on Dawson Street, the Luas would have travelled over 1km through the heart of the city centre without stopping. This would have been much too long and would have reduced the benefits of a much needed piece of transport infrastructure. A stop on Dawson Street will make the Luas more appealing and easier to access for commuters, shoppers and tourists in the city centre,” Dublin Chamber chief executive officer Gina Quin said. “Given the large number of businesses located in the Dawson Street area, Luas Cross City will in the future provide a crucial way for people to get both in and out of Dublin city centre. ”
She said linking up the transport network more effectively offers “great options” for passengers to get around the city.