Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)
Q: Will my property be devalued if it is adjacent to Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD)?Q: What is the risk of damage to property during construction?Q: Will there be much disruption due to noise and vibration from construction?Q: Is RPA proposing to demolish any buildings?Q: What are the existing ground conditions like?Q: Will Luas services be interrupted when Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) is being built?Q: What will traffic disruption be like during construction?Q: What will the hours of construction be?Q: Will there be many construction compounds and where will they be?Q: Will mature trees be removed along the proposed alignment?Q: How big are the platforms likely to be?Q: Will I be able to hear and feel the Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) during operations?Q: Where will interchange with Luas services be located?Q: Where will interchange with bus be provided?Q: Will there be Park and Ride facilities on Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD)?Q: What are the risks associated with fuel combustion emissions during operations?Q: How do Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) passengers connect with other Luas Lines and Metro North?Q: How often will Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) run?Q: Will there be disruption to traffic when Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) is operational?Q: Is there a risk of damage to property during operations?Q: What will the fares be on Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?Q: Can I take my bike on Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?Q: Will there be good security and safety arrangements at stops?Q: Will the stops be staffed?Q: Will Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) run 24 hours per day?Q: What is the round trip journey time through the City Centre from St. Stephen’s Green and back?Q: How many people can Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) carry?Q: Is Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) the same gauge as Luas?Q: How will people cross Luas City Broombridge (Line BXD) if it runs on the surface?Q: What is the length of the Line?Q: Is an EIS prepared for the project?Q: What will the stops look like?Q: What will access be like to stops for people with impaired mobility?Q: What will the Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) trams look like?Q: What are the benefits of Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?Q: Is Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) subject to a cost benefit analysis?Q: Where do I get more information?
Property
Q: Will my property be devalued if it is adjacent to Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD)?
A: Experience from Dublin after the launch of passenger services on the Luas Red Line and Luas Green Line, and other cities where similar systems have been built, suggests that the value of properties close to a light rail alignment will actually increase in value once the line is operational. This is a direct result of the availability of an improved public transport system which is likely to be at its greatest for those properties that are closest to stops.
Q: What is the risk of damage to property during construction?
A: The risk of significant damage to property during construction is extremely low. Pre-construction surveys will be undertaken along the alignment, protective measures will be developed for those structures likely to be affected and buildings will be monitored during and for a period after construction.
Q: Will there be much disruption due to noise and vibration from construction?
A: There may be some noise and vibration experienced when construction is taking place. This will however be kept to a minimum and work will generally not be undertaken late at night except in special circumstances such as at critical road traffic locations where construction during daytime could impact severely on access to the city centre.
Throughout the consultation process, RPA will be listening to and taking into consideration the concerns of residents and businesses and other institutions that may be affected by construction.
Q: Is RPA proposing to demolish any buildings?
A: The design process of the alignment has identified the possible need for some acquisition and demolition at Constitution Hill which may be required to facilitate the construction and operation of Line BXD in this area.
Construction
Q: What are the existing ground conditions like?
A: There is a considerable amount of information regarding ground conditions along the route and this will be augmented with further investigations and tests. As Luas construction typically involves relatively shallow excavations, any soft spots or other issues will be identified and dealt with without difficulty. In some instances, at Broadstone for example, more detailed investigations will be carried out prior to commencing construction..
Q: Will Luas services be interrupted when Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) is being built?
A: The construction of the proposed Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will inevitably cause some disruptions to the existing Luas Red Line at O’Connell Street and Abbey Street Lower due to the requirement to install specialist track-work. The required works at these locations will be programmed to occur in the quieter summer months when traffic volumes are significantly less.
Q: What will traffic disruption be like during construction?
A: A key aspect of the track construction is the installation of tracks across road junctions. Good traffic management is essential to this process and detailed construction sequencing and traffic management plans will be discussed and agreed with the Gardai and the Road Authority in advance of the construction works.
RPA will also be working closely with other transport providers and consulting local residents and businesses to develop traffic management plans aimed at minimising disruption.
Q: What will the hours of construction be?
A: The hours of work will be specified by the Gardai and the Road Authority and will be in accordance with relevant Health and Safety legislation.
Q: Will there be many construction compounds and where will they be?
A: The location of site compounds will be identified as the design of the alignment progresses. The number and impact of the construction compounds will be detailed within the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As with previous Luas projects; compounds will be temporary. Upon completion of the works, existing lands or carriageway will be reinstated.
Q: Will mature trees be removed along the proposed alignment?
A: Some mature trees may need to be removed from the proposed alignment of Line BXD. We will advise local residents and businesses of this and other landscape issues as may be appropriate. RPA are committed to the planting of trees in accordance with the design and to retain the historic character and heritage of the area and once construction of the proposed alignment is complete.
Q: How big are the platforms likely to be?
A: The platforms will be approximately 65 metres long and at least 3metres wide. The exception to this general rule would be at Phibsborough Stop where the narrow width of the cutting will require the provision of narrower platforms in the order of 2 metres in width. The platform length is required to accommodate the possible provision of longer 53 metre trams in the future and to allow for adequate ramp gradient to facilitate access to each stop.
Noise and vibration
Q: Will I be able to hear and feel the Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) during operations?
A: Line BXD will generate the same minimal noise and vibration as the existing Luas Red Line and Green Line. Vibration can be mitigated by various damping mechanisms. These include seating the rail on resilient pads and in more sensitive locations (e.g. beside hospitals, houses and public buildings) placing the concrete rail bed on a resilient mat or pads.
Integration
Q: Where will interchange with Luas services be located?
A: Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) is central to establishing a link between the two existing Luas Lines in the city centre. This will give commuters a better service offering frequent connection opportunities between Luas Green Line services at St. Stephen’s Green and Luas Red Line services at O’Connell Street and Abbey Street. Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will also offer customers interchange with the proposed Metro North at several locations in the city centre including St. Stephen’s Green, O’Connell Street and Parnell Street and suburban rail services at Broombridge.
Q: Where will interchange with bus be provided?
A: Interchange with bus will occur at many locations within the city centre and in the vicinity of most proposed stop locations. It is envisaged that new bus routes to maximise interconnectivity of public transport services along the possible route will also be developed by the various bus operators.
Q: Will there be Park and Ride facilities on Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD)?
A: No. The proposed scheme does not include a proposal for Park and Ride facilities, due to established residential, business and public parking space along the possible route. There will be a ‘Kiss and Ride’ facility at the proposed Broombridge Stop and possibly a small amount of car parking.
Operations
Q: What are the risks associated with fuel combustion emissions during operations?
A: None. Tram and maintenance plant will be electrically powered.
Q: How do Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) passengers connect with other Luas Lines and Metro North?
A: Passengers can interchange between the existing Luas Red and Green Luas lines, the new Luas Docklands Lines and Luas Cherrywood Lines (under construction) and the proposed Metro North throughout the city centre, as all stops will be located in close proximity to stop locations for Metro North and other Luas Lines.
Q: How often will Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) run?
A: The proposed frequency of operations of Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) is likely to be in the order of a tram every 3 minutes in the core city centre section depending upon demand.
Q: Will there be disruption to traffic when Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) is operational?
A: Where Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) crosses roads at grade, traffic signal control will be used to minimise delays for both modes. The impact is likely to be minimal, similar to existing Luas crossing at road junctions. It is envisaged that priority will be given to Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) at minor junctions, with minimal delay periods to the service at major junctions. Trams occupy existing road space and consequently there will be less road space available for other road traffic. However this reduction in road space must consider the superior carrying capacity and journey times of Luas vehicles when compared with other road vehicles.
Q: Is there a risk of damage to property during operations?
A: Once all civil engineering construction works are complete and the railway is in operation the risks to adjacent properties, structures and utilities is insignificant.
Q: What will the fares be on Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?
A: Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) fares will be finalised prior to commencement of operations. A full range of products including period passes for regular commuters will be available. Fare levels will reflect the commercial requirements of the system and reflect the faster journey times and other additional benefits. Luas SmartCard will be available for use; this is a permanent card about the size of a credit card which allows Luas customers to pay-as-they-go when they travel on Luas.
Q: Can I take my bike on Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?
A: No. It is a policy of RPA that the safety of Luas and Metro passengers is paramount. However, folding bikes are acceptable; this is similar to the DART and suburban rail. Bike racks will be provided at stops where feasible.
Q: Will there be good security and safety arrangements at stops?
A: Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) will be a very secure system for the passengers. The stops will be extensively monitored by means of CCTV and the vehicles will also have on-board cameras to deter unruly behaviour. In both cases the output will be recorded and retained for a period so that it can be used as evidence if required subsequently. In addition all vehicles and stops will be patrolled on a regular basis by uniformed staff.
Q: Will the stops be staffed?
A: The Luas stops will be visited on a regular basis by mobile staff but will not be permanently staffed. Stops will be extensively monitored by CCTV and by other means from a central control room.
Q: Will Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) run 24 hours per day?
A: Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will not run for 24 hours per day although it is designed to do so. It will run from early in the morning until late at night similar to the existing Luas.The existing Luas Red Line and Green Line operate from 05:30 to 00:30 each weekday.
Q: What is the round trip journey time through the City Centre from St. Stephen’s Green and back?
A: The journey time from St. Stephen’s Green to Broombridge is expected to be in the order of 24 minutes during peak periods.
Q: How many people can Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) carry?
A: Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) will be designed to carry similar volumes of passengers to existing Luas. An initial capacity of 5,000 passengers per direction per hour is envisaged, increasing to over 8,000 passengers per direction per hour in the future with longer trams.
Q: Is Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) the same gauge as Luas?
A: Yes. All Metro and Luas lines will be the same gauge to allow future interoperability.
Q: How will people cross Luas City Broombridge (Line BXD) if it runs on the surface?
A: Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will operate on the surface in much the same manner as the existing Luas. This means that in some sections pedestrians will be able to cross the track when it is safe to do so. At these locations including all stops, specific crossing points will be provided. Crossing facilities will be also provided through pedestrian friendly areas.
Route Selection
Q: Q: What is the length of the Line?
A: The length of Line BXD in the direction of travel from St. Stephen’s Green to Broombridge and the Maynooth Rail Line is 5.6km.
Q: Is an EIS prepared for the project?
A: The EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) process has commenced and an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) will be prepared and submitted as part of a Railway Order Application by RPA. The Final Draft Scoping Report for Line BXD was published on 21st April 2009.
Design
Q: What will the stops look like?
A: The final look of the stops will be subject to ongoing detailed design work, but will be based on the existing Luas stop design. The stops will have a modern, bright, open, safe look to them similar to the existing Luas stops.
Q: What will access be like to stops for people with impaired mobility?
A: Accessibility is an important operational feature of Luas. There will be full accessibility to all stops with such features as low level platforms, ramps, tactile paving, signage and low floor trams similar to the existing Luas. Full consultation will take place to ensure that the best solution for mobility impaired passengers is utilised.
Q: What will the Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD) trams look like?
A: Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) trams will be similar to the existing Luas trams. They will be user-friendly low level units and designed for ease of access with level boarding. They will have a large number of doors for speedy boarding and alighting. In the future longer trams may come on stream and it is for this reason that the design for the stops is being undertaken to ensure that the platform lengths will be able to accommodate this longer length of vehicle.
Benefits
Q: What are the benefits of Luas City / Broombridge (Line BXD)?
A: Line BXD passengers will spend a lot less time commuting every day
Line BXD will offer a frequent, fast and reliable service for commuters. It will provide an essential link with existing and planned Luas Lines in Dublin City Centre, as well as Metro North, DART, Irish Rail and existing bus services in the capital.
A: Line BXD will allow areas of Dublin City to be revitalised
The provision of improved public transport to residential and business communities on Line BXD will offer improved access through the City Centre. Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will reduce the number of car-dependent journeys through the highly congested parts of the city centre. Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) will make a positive contribution to the quality of life in Dublin and will be a catalyst for regeneration of areas of the north-west inner city including Dominick Street.
A: Line BXD will attract large numbers of passengers
Line BXD will naturally attract people currently using the various forms of public and private transport and consequently Line BXD will remove car journeys from the road network each year. Fewer car journeys can also contribute to fewer road accidents and better air quality.
A: Line BXD will have positive environmental benefits
The decrease in road traffic, as a result of Line BXD, will help reduce air pollution, congestion, noise and vibration from the road network. The reduction in the amount of car traffic will result in a reduction in the number of accidents and injuries caused on our roads.
A: Line BXD will contribute to urban sustainable development
Line BXD could be a catalyst for urban regeneration similar to the experience of the Luas Red Line and Luas Green Line and networks in other European cities. The construction of Line BXD will contribute to the renewal of many areas of Dublin City presently congested with road traffic, therefore making the city a more attractive place for citizens, businesses and visitors. Through careful integration of the Line BXD infrastructure with the local environment and the provision of high quality landscaping a revitalisation of disadvantaged areas of Dublin City can be achieved.
Cost
Q: Is Luas City/Broombridge (Line BXD) subject to a cost benefit analysis?
A: Line BXD will be subject to economic and financial appraisal. The analysis will be consistent with current appraisal guidelines, which are determined by the Department of Finance and Department of Transport, for the methodology and cost-benefit analysis of transport projects
Information
Q: Where do I get more information?
A: More information is available from the RPA and Luas Website or by using the Freephone number below:
Web: www.rpa.ie
Freephone: 1800 67 64 64
Email: info@rpa.ie