***While we hope this will be a reality sometime in the future, today it’s just…HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!!!***
Documents obtained by Beat through a freedom of information (FOI) request reveal the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport is at an advanced stage in developing a light rail or 'Luas' system for Waterford city.
Tentatively dubbed 'Waterford Light Rail' or WLR by department insiders, Beat understands the network will be developed in tandem with the North Quay 'transport hub for Waterford' project, which is slated to commence in late 2021, providing there are no further planning complications.
The project believed to be funded entirely by the Ireland 2040 project.
Also obtained by Beat is a proposed route map (below), which illustrates two lines: one from Slieverue Village to the Six Cross Roads (Red) and a second route from Carriganore's Greenway Car Park to Passage Crossroad (Blue).
A detailed list of the planned stops can be viewed below.
RED: Luffaney N25 Park & Ride Slieverue, Ferrybank, North Quays, Clock Tower, Tower Hotel, Parnell Street, Railway Square, RSC, WIT, Ballybeg, Six Cross Roads.
BLUE: Greenway Park & Ride, WIT Arena, Waterford Business Park, Waterford Shopping Centre, Walsh Park, Upper Yellow Road, Hypercentre, The Bridge, O'Connell Street, Gladstone Street, Tower Hotel, People's Park, Johns Hill, The Folly, John's Park, Kill St Lawrence, Outer Ring Road Park and Ride, Tesco Ardkeen, Ardkeen Village, UHW, Viewmount, Ballinakill, Passage Cross.
Plans show that the two lines will connect outside the Tower Hotel at Reginald's Tower Interchange, which will incorporate a tourist information centre.
The system is designed to take up to 30,000 passengers per day, with higher-capacity carriages serving the Red Line due to an expected increase in footfall at the new North Quays development.
Strategically placed 'Park & Ride' facilities are to be constructed in Slieverue (Luffany Roundabout), the Outer Ring Road and Carriganore Greenway.
A redacted engineer's document on the project states that The Quay could become a one-way system if a more robust engineering solution cannot be found, however, Waterford Light Rail passenger numbers would far outweigh the negative impact a lane closure would bring.
Could The Quay become a one-way system?
Whatsmore Beat understands the services of top US branding firm J. Mullane & Co. have been employed to brand the project, the fruits of which can be seen in the above drafted route map.
Waterford county councillor Adam Wyse (FF) has welcomed the move: "The North quays is already an extremely ambitious and exciting project for Waterford. The Waterford Light Rail is a very welcome addition. Having visited a small town in America similar to the population of Waterford during my year as Mayor and speaking with their Town Mayor along with entrepreneur Lyle Lanley, I am confident we can match if not better the success of their electrified transport system, or monorail."
Hero image: Artist's impression of the light rail system at Reginald's Tower.
