Luas to Finglas gets planning permission

Planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited Luas line to Finglas.

Approved by the government in the final months of the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green coalition in October 2024, planning permission has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Broombridge will be the linchpin of the project, with the existing Luas line extended by 4km out to Finglas.

The new stops will be added at St Helena’s, Finglas Village, St Margaret’s Road, and Charlestown near the M50.

A new bridge will be built over the Tolka, and a new bridge will be built at Broombridge to facilitate the works, per government research on the project published in 2021. 

As well as the tram line, the project will provide for improvements to the walking and cycling network in the area, with 1.2km of segregated two-way cycle track and approximately 1.8km of segregated and protected one-way cycle track included in the planning permission.

Speaking last October, when the project initially got Cabinet approval, then-Minister for Transport Éamon Ryan said “the government’s approval of the Luas Finglas project forms part of our commitment to significantly invest in public transport and decarbonise Ireland’s transport system.”

“The Luas Finglas project will bring reliable, high-frequency and sustainable transport to well-established and new communities, allowing people to access opportunities for employment, education, healthcare and other services. I am delighted that the government’s approval has started that journey.” 

Ryan’s successor in the role, Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O’Brien, welcomed the planning approval news, saying it was of “major significance for sustainable growth and improved connectivity in north Dublin.”

“Luas Finglas will offer thousands of Dubliners a fast, reliable, sustainable way to get around the city, helping to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. “

“The additional cycle and pedestrian facilities involved in the project will offer even more sustainable and active transport options. By reducing journey times, the project will also support the development of housing and businesses along the route. Luas Finglas will bring great benefits to the local community as well as to Dublin as a whole,” the Fianna Fáil Minister said.

O’Brien’s party colleague, Dublin North-West TD Paul McAuliffe, welcomed the news.

McAuliffe said, “this is a big day for our community.”

He said the project has been a long time coming, saying, “when we started holding local meetings in 2018, calling on the NTA to extend the line from Broombridge, I think many of us thought it would not be achieved.”

“The granting of full planning permission now makes the construction possible, and I will be working with An Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to ensure the funding is in place to allow us to go to tender.”

The Fianna Fáil TD said “last week, I again met An Taoiseach to ensure funding was ready, and I will be keeping the pressure on to ensure there are no delays ahead,” expressing hope that construction will begin by 2027.

“It’s an extension of an existing line, so it’s a very deliverable shovel ready infrastructure project,” he noted.

“This project has the potential to transform North Dublin, enabling people to rapidly access the City Centre from all over Finglas and Charlestown.”

With no significant issues outlined in the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála, I now hope that we can finally get ready for the next stage of this project which will hopefully see the line up and running within the next few years.”

McAuliffe said that Dublin North-West is reliant on bus services at present, which has seen more than its fair share of problems in recent times, thanks to teething problems with Go-Ahead, the privatisation of services, as well as a lack of drivers and mechanics.

Fellow Dublin North-West TD Rory Hearne said that it is now crucial that funding is fast-tracked for the project.

The Social Democrats TD said “the granting of planning permission for the extension of LUAS to Finglas is very welcome, but we need to see delivery as soon as possible.”

“Finglas and the wider area is a growing community which urgently needs better public transport.”

Hearne noted that the last Luas extension happened eight years ago, when the Luas Green Line was extended to Broombridge (thanks to the help of former local Labour TD Joe Costello).

Since the Luas Green Line was extended to Broombridge in 2017, the population of North-West Dublin has exploded; Ashtown’s population stood at 13,209 per the census, and was just shy of 15,000 in the 2022 census, highlighting the need for improved local transport links.

With news in recent weeks that planning for the new town of Broombridge-Hamilton is picking up steam, the new Luas line should be a priority, said Hearne

“There are fears that this project may not be delivered for another ten years; this appalling vista would mean an almost two-decade period in which no new light rail was delivered,” he warned.

“This government must stop blaming state agencies for its failure to deliver infrastructure and take responsibility for its own dismal record. What we need now is dedicated funding and faster delivery – not missed deadlines and endless prevarication.”

Since becoming a TD for Dublin North-West last November, Hearne said, “people in Finglas and the surrounding area have expressed concern to me about the timeframe for the completion of this extension.”

“The government must now prioritise the delivery of this crucial infrastructure project by allocating more resources and bringing forward its completion date,” the Soc Dems TD said.

Local Green councillor Feljin Jose welcomed the news, but with a hint of caution.

“That’s now five big rail projects approved in the last year and no clarity over funding and timelines,” he remarked.

The party spokesperson on transport, the Cabra-Glasnevin councillor was more reserved about the announcement, saying that funding for the Luas line to Finglas was not mentioned in July’s National Development Plan.

In July, local government Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe delivered an update which gave assurances that spending for capital projects would be ringfenced in the event of an economic downturn, with spending put aside for projects which are “low carbon” in nature, which implies public transport services such as the Luas would be prioritised in government spending spreadsheets.

Jose noted that “it’s almost November now and we still don’t know what projects will be funded and when.”

“The Budget was also vague about how much funding will be available for each project next year; we need clarity and funding,” he said.

People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy said the announcement is “decades too late and must be a start, not an end to investment in expansion of Dublin’s public transport infrastructure”.

“Successive governments have pursued a model of development that fuels urban sprawl, leaving workers with long and miserable daily commutes, whether they drive, use public transport or active travel. In this context, the development of quality public transport infrastructure should have been a priority, but Ireland has lagged behind, delivering far below what population growth has required.”

Reddy noted the woes with the BusConnect routes in the Finglas area and hoped it wasn’t an omen for the planned Luas works.

“Fast connections to the city centre have been prioritised over the needs of older people, younger people, and those with disabilities; this  approach has ignored the reality of how people actually live, work and move around their own communities – again demonstrating the government’s lack of commitment to quality public transport.”

“We need to radically alter how we think about public transport, seeing it as a public good, essential to people’s lives, to the climate, and to the city’s future .”

The Ballymun-Finglas councillor said that Ireland can afford free, green public transport, and asserted “what’s missing is the political courage to make it happen.”