LUAS Extension Given Go Ahead to Citywest under PPP

Citywest Luas Ltd has just signed a binding agreement with the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) to extend the Luas to Saggart via Citywest, under Public Private Partnership (PPP). Citywest Luas Ltd will provide land and certain infrastructure for the Luas extension and RPA providing the remainder of the infrastructure and trams. Citywest Luas Ltd will provide €39 million in funding for development of the line.

This is a long-term vision for the promoters of Citywest Luas Ltd (Davy Hickey Properties, Harcourt Developments and HSS) which will see people and business connected from the heart of the city centre to the state of the art Citywest Business Campus. The line will also connect significant existing and planned residential developments along with Citywest Hotel to Dublin city centre.

The new line will have stops at Fettercairn, Cheeverstown, Citywest Campus, Fortunestown and Saggart, and will connect to the existing Luas Red Line between Cookstown and Belgard stops. The line will be about 4.2 km long and is expected to carry about 5 million passengers a year. A park-and-ride facility will be provided at the Cheeverstown stop at the new outer ring road.

Funding for the Citywest extension was included in Transport 21 subject to agreements being in place to ensure contributions from developers. These RPA – developer agreements are now in place. RPA are applying for a Railway Order under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 and, subject to planning approval, expects to see construction begin in Spring 2008, and to launch passenger services in 2010.

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