[Colm Moore]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0715/luas.html

Luas Cherrywood extension by October - RPA
watch Thursday, 15 July 2010 20:07

The Rail Procurement Agency says it hopes to have the Luas extension to Cherrywood on Dublin's southside open for passengers in October following successful testing of the line today.

Although planned housing and commerical development along the route has not materialised, the rail body insists the extension will be a success.

The public private partnership project cost a total of €300m for an extra 7.5km of tram track on the Luas Green line from St Stephen's Green.

From Sandyford there will be another 11 stops to Cherrywood and Brides Glen.

One station at Brennanstown will be ghost stop as none of the planned development has taken place and trams will not be stopping here for the forseeable future.

But RPA Chief Executive Frank Allen said this line will provide transport infrastructure for the future and make for communities that are less car dependent.

Residents in Cherrywood apartments in the local business park say the line is needed.

The RPA says the line will carry an extra 2m passengers a year with an overall journey time from Cherrywood to St Stephen's Green of about 40 minutes.