Sir, – The, All, and I use this word sparingly, Island Strategic Review by the Department of Transport in conjunction with the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland is anything but.
Once again Donegal, along with Leitrim, has been excluded from proper connectivity that would improve the infrastructural difficulties that we face each and every day.
One only has to look at the maps presented by both departments to see where improvement will take place and it’s definitely not Donegal, apart from a rail link that would go from Letterkenny to Derry.
If I want to travel by rail link to Dublin via Sligo, there is no connectivity, so instead I will be forced to travel, by this idiotic plan, to Derry before heading South.
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Why doesn’t this so-called strategic review include a rail link between Letterkenny and Sligo? Why are all infrastructural investments in the east, southeast, south or southwest?
Are we not part of the Republic?
Are we not, as taxpayers and citizens of this State, entitled to the same investment as we have seen around Dublin, Cork and Galway?
So much for the green ideology, some would call it codology, where there is more intent on reducing road space and increasing cycle space, while Dublin, Cork and others are treated more favourably than their northern cousins, with rail link expansion, motorways, etc.
The next time a politician comes to your door and talks about anything “All Island”, just remind them that the Republic is made up of 26 counties, not the exclusive number as suggested on this plan. – Yours, etc,
CHRISTY GALLIGAN,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Following on from Michael McDowell’s piece on an overground Luas to Dublin Airport (“Is the Metrolink really the best way to provide a rail link to Dublin Airport?” August 7th), why not build a Dart line starting at Dún Laoghaire and following the present rail line as far as Clongriffin?
After this station it could swing left out to the airport, go underground at the airport with a stop at each terminal. It could then be built to follow the M50 out to a terminus at Carrickmines.
This would not only offer a direct connection to Dublin Airport from the major tech hubs at Sandyford and Grand Canal Docks, but it would also cross the Navan, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford rail lines.
Having started at Dún Laoghaire, change here for Wexford, and passing through Connolly Station, and the Belfast line, it would connect the whole rail network of the island of Ireland by rail to Dublin Airport.
Am I the only one who sees this? For me, it’s game changing infrastructure.
The Luas to the airport could still be built extending out to Swords. – Yours, etc,
MARK HANNON,
Germany.
Sir, – The recently published rail review offers a promising vision of a more connected Ireland.
I find myself agreeing with Michael McDowell’s questioning of the proposed Metrolink, given its enormous cost and delivery complexity when other overground options are possible.
Have our planners considered including sky trains within our cities to add further reach, value and speed of delivery to our rail infrastructure?
Examples of their efficacy can be found throughout the world including in Mumbai, Vancouver, Düsseldorf. – Yours, etc,
AILBHE MURRAY,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.