Cuffe says Luas extension ‘must include space for walking and cycling’

MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe has said plans to extend the Green Luas line further into Northwest Dublin must be accompanied by plans for walking and cycling.

In his submission to the public consultation on the project, the Green Party representative said he supported the plan, which would bring Luas access to residents as far out as Charlestown.

However, he emphasised that the new Luas tracks must be supplemented with parallel lanes for cycling and walking if they are to avoid crowding out those who already use the same route.

Cuffe’s submission also urged planners ‘not to repeat the mistakes of previous Luas line developments.’

“Similar requests were made in the early design development of the Luas Green line,” he said.

“It was a significant institutional failure that the opportunity was not taken to provide for active travel in conjunction with light rail on that occasion.”

Speaking about his submission, Cuffe said:

“To this day, if you try to cycle South down Harcourt Street, or west from O’Connell Street to Smithfield, you’ll find you have to keep your wits about you to avoid getting your bike wheel caught in the Luas tracks.”

Cuffe’s other recommendations include secure bicycle parking, as well as “Kiss and Ride” facilities, which would allow for safe drop off of passengers at Luas stops.

“It’s clear that Dublin’s public transport infrastructure is sorely in need of upgrading.

“But mistakes, once made, are hard to undo.

“If we want these big mass transit projects to support a thriving urban ecosystem, they must be integrated with smaller scale infrastructure that allows people to move freely across streets and neighbourhoods.”