Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady has welcomed confirmation that the National Transport Authority has commenced a pre-feasibility study to assess demand for a Luas extension to Bray, with the delivery of the Luas Green Line extension to Bray now being proposed for the medium term between 2031-2036, but urged Government to finally deliver on the long-discussed project.
The NTA has stated that, subject to funding availability and the results of the pre-feasibility study, a light rail line to Bray will progress to Phase 1 of the NTA Project Approval Guidelines from 2027.
Teachta Brady said:
“I welcome confirmation that the National Transport Authority has now commenced a pre-feasibility study for the extension of the Luas line to Bray, and that the project is now proposed for delivery between 2031 and 2036.
“However, these indications will be worthless unless they are matched by real delivery.
“Government opted to omit the expansion from their National Development Plan, 2026-2030, so we must see genuine progress.
“I have long argued that the continued growth of North Wicklow requires the delivery of high-quality public transport infrastructure, such as the extension of the Luas line.
“The need for this improved connectivity is heightened by the significant population growth in the area over recent years.
“This growth is set to continue.
“The Fassaroe area is central to Wicklow’s future growth. The Wicklow County Council masterplan earmarks up to 2,600 housing units for the area, while the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Local Area Plan for Old Connaught provides for more than 2,000 additional homes.
“The scale of development planned underlines the urgent need to ensure that public transport infrastructure is delivered in tandem with new housing, or already bad congestion on the N11/M11 will worsen.
“In addition, this highlights the need for the €11 million Park and Ride facility at Fassaroe, that is substantially complete but cannot open due to lack of bus services, to be opened and operational without further delay.
“It is critically important that as these new communities are developed over the coming years, public transport, services and amenities are frontloaded rather than playing catch-up.
“The commencement of this pre-feasibility study is a welcome step, but we need to see this project move beyond studies and timelines and into delivery.
“The delivery of the Luas extension is central to this and must be delivered by Government.”
ENDS