Fourth Report of the Light Rail Advisory/Action Group. February To the Minister for Public Enterprise

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1 Fourth Report of the Light Rail Advisory/Action Group February 2001 To the Minister for Public Enterprise

2 Members of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Chairman: Padraic A. White Other Members: Andrew Cullen, Department of Public Enterprise Gerry Duggan, E.S.B. International Caroline Gill, Insurance Ombudsman Donal Mangan, Light Rail Project Director Pat Mangan, Department of Public Enterprise (until November 2000) Oliver O Connor, Special Adviser to the Tánaiste Tom Wall, I.C.T.U. Co-ordinator: Monica Wallace, Department of Public Enterprise Pat Mangan of the Department of Public Enterprise, who was a member of the Advisory Group from its inception, resigned in November 2000 following a change in his responsibility in the Department to the regulatory and restructuring area of public transport. The Group benefited greatly from his expertise in all aspects of public transport policy. He was replaced by Andrew Cullen who has responsibility for public transport planning and investment.

3 Contents Role of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group 2 An Expanded Light Rail and Metro Network for Dublin 3 Introduction by the Chairman 4 Overview of Progress on the Light Rail Network 6 Group s Findings 9 Tallaght to Abbey Street (Line A) 9 Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green (Line B) 12 Abbey Street to Connolly Station (Line C) 14 Emerging Issues 16 Annex A: Terms of Reference for the Light 18 Rail Advisory & Action Group Annex B: Progress against the Indicative 19 Timetable for the Light Rail Project Annex C: Operational Guidelines for the Light 20 Rail Advisory & Action Group Annex D: Overview of Implementation and 22 Monitoring Structure

4 The Light Rail Advisory & Action Group s Role The Light Rail Advisory & Action Group was established by the Minister for Public Enterprise in November The mandate of the Group, since that time, has been to oversee the planning and implementation of the light rail network as decided by the Government in May This network comprised five light rail lines and broadly envisaged two major routes, from Tallaght to Connolly Station and from Sandyford Industrial Estate to the Airport via an underground section in the City Centre. The Advisory and Action Group s particular focus has been on adherence to the indicative timetable, published by the Minister, for implementation of that network. In January 2001, the Minister adjusted the mandate of the Group, in order to accommodate new proposals for an expanded Dublin light rail network as outlined in the Dublin Transportation Office s recently published strategy, A Platform for Change. Also, the change in mandate was to reflect a Government decision of July 2000 to develop a metro system for Dublin, which would include, at a later date, the upgraded light rail Line B from Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green and an extension of this line south to Shanganagh, near Bray, and north to Swords via the City Centre and Dublin Airport. Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green line (Lines A, B and C), and to the indicative timetable for completion of construction of these lines as set down by Government in May The Minister also extended the Group s mandate to specifically include monitoring of the arrangements for communication with the public during the construction phase of Lines A, B and C. In addition, she indicated that the Group would have a further role to play in relation to future metro or LUAS lines, when detailed implementation plans for the DTO s proposals have been considered. (See revised Terms of Reference for the Group at Annex A). Our role is to advise the Minister as to whether the project is on schedule or deviating from schedule. We can also raise early warning flags if we see problems emerging. We will also review and make recommendations in relation to effective communications with the public and with those directly affected by the construction works. The Group is an advisory group only it does not have executive responsibility for implementation. It is an action group only insofar as our deliberations influence others or our advice to the Minister highlights the need for action to keep the light rail and metro projects on schedule. Accordingly, the Minister confirmed the Group s continuing terms of reference in relation to the Tallaght to Connolly Station line and the

5 An Expanded Light Rail and Metro Network for Dublin What is Metro? Metro is a light rail system that is similar to LUAS except that it runs on completely segregated lines throughout its entire length (that is, it has no on-street sections). This means that it can have longer trains, operating at higher speeds and higher frequency and therefore has the potential to provide very high passenger capacity. Tunnels may be needed to maintain segregation in densely developed areas. Government Decision to Develop a Metro for Dublin On 31 July 2000, the Minister for Public Enterprise announced the Government s decision, in principle, to develop a metro for Dublin. The Government also decided that the metro system would be developed on a public private partnership basis using a design, build, finance and operate mechanism. The system is to include: a line from Shanganagh (near Bray, where passengers can interchange with DART) to Swords via the City Centre and Dublin Airport. Construction of this line will entail the upgrading of the light rail Line B to Metro between Sandyford and Ranelagh; a line from Finglas to Tallaght via Blanchardstown and Clondalkin; and a line from Citywest to the City Centre via Tallaght and Kimmage. The Light Rail Project Office is currently working on initial implementation plans for the Metro. A Platform for Change - Dublin Transportation Office Proposals for Metro and for an Expanded Light Rail Network In September 2000, the Dublin Transportation Office published its outline proposals for an integrated transportation strategy for the Greater Dublin Area for the period 2000 to The DTO strategy includes proposals for the metro which had already been approved, in principle, by the Government. The strategy also includes proposals for additional light rail lines, including: the extension of LUAS Line C to the Docklands; a north-south line from Sillogue to Dundrum via Ballymun, Whitehall, the city centre, Harold s Cross, Terenure and Rathfarnham; and an east-west line from Lucan to Docklands, via Ballyfermot, Dolphin s Barn, the South City Centre and the proposed Macken Street Bridge. 2/3 Map of Metro and Extended LRT

6 Introduction by the Chairman We can report that completion of the LUAS lines on the two main routes from Tallaght to Connolly Station and from Sandyford to St Stephen s Green in the target year of 2003 remains feasible and will result in the hard pressed commuters in the catchment areas of these lines having an attractive new form of public transport available to them some two years from now. In May 1998, the Government set down an indicative timetable for completion of the Tallaght and Sandyford routes at various dates in the year 2003 and, while variation from an exact target month is possible, the finishing of construction and commencement of passenger services during the year 2003 is a realistic prospect. It is worth re-iterating that there has been no change or postponement in the commitment to the year 2003 start up for these 2 LUAS routes. The Government approval in principle for a new Metro system and other aspects of the DTO (Dublin Transportation Office) strategy up to the year 2016 will complement the LUAS service now under construction it does not imply any delay whatever in the current LUAS projects. The planning procedures for the lines under the Light Rail legislation have now been completed. A second public inquiry under Judge Sean O Leary into the Store St Connolly section was held in September He approved the revised proposals for the terminus at Connolly Station, the Minister for Public Enterprise Mary O Rourke, T.D., accepted the recommendations in November and the consequent light rail orders are now in force. There is commendable progress on a host of works to facilitate the LUAS service. The major depot at the Red Cow interchange on the Tallaght line is well underway and construction of the depot at Sandyford is due to commence shortly. The first tram is scheduled for delivery in October and 6 trams per quarter will be delivered from January next. We report that there has been a slippage of some 5 months in the timetable for awarding the main contract to lay the track bed and do the mechanical work associated with it instead of October 2000, it is now estimated that the contract will be awarded in March The Project Team decided to seek to have one contractor

7 for all the lines as they believed this would be more cost effective and that one contractor would be more efficient in delivering on time. Until the chosen contractor is in place, it is not possible to assess if there will be a knock-on delay of some months but we do not, at this stage, see the slippage as materially affecting commencement of services during the year One of our tasks as an Advisory Group is to raise warning flags where we encounter anything that would threaten the achievement of the LUAS start-up timetable. There is now evidence of a lack of inter-agency co-ordination where other agencies do not share the LUAS timetable priority, with resulting slowness of decision making, delays in funding allocation for related works and lack of speed of implementation. These can all threaten the timetable for completion of a line. It takes only a delay at one junction or spot on the route which LUAS must travel on to impede the commencement of services. Our report most strongly recommends that every effort is made - including Cabinet intervention if necessary - to resolve these difficulties urgently and to secure the commitment of other agencies in aligning their work priorities with the LUAS timetable. I would also draw attention to other services which must be in place so that passenger services will commence on schedule in the year The operating franchise for the lines is to be awarded following an open competition announced by Minister O Rourke on 2nd January and is expected to result in a preferred bidder being recommended to the Minister next Autumn. A new Railway Procurement Agency (R.P.A.) is to be established in the autumn also subject to the legislation the Transport (Railway Procurement) Bill being enacted. The new Agency will take over the responsibilities of the Light Rail Project Office and will sign the contract with the selected franchise operator. These significant developments are being synchronised so as to provide the operator with ample time to prepare for the 2003 service start. Another crucial objective will be to test and commission the trams and the track in good time so as to secure the necessary safety certification from the Inspector of Railways. Finally, we wish to report that the Minister has adjusted and extended our mandate from January She has re-affirmed our mandate in relation to the LUAS lines which have a specific completion time-table (Tallaght and Sandyford lines). As the heavy construction phase of the LUAS work is about to commence, she has extended our mandate to include monitoring of the arrangements for communication with the public during the construction phase. She has indicated her intention of considering the role of the Advisory Group in relation to the new Metro and further light rail projects. Padraic A. White Chairman February /5

8 Overview of Progress on the Light Rail Network The first phase of the light rail network which is being implemented, and the timetable for which the Advisory and Action Group is mandated to review, consists of two major routes: A surface line from Tallaght to Connolly Station via Abbey Street, and A line from Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green, using the old Harcourt Street railway alignment as far as Ranelagh. In our previous four reports we have consistently been able to report that work on the Sandyford and Tallaght lines was on schedule for completion of construction in 2003, in accordance with the indicative timetable set down by the Government in May We can report that completion of the lines in 2003 remains feasible even though some slippage on contract placement has occurred and inter-agency delays have eroded some of the float time available. There is accordingly little scope for any slippage in placing or completing contracts in order to ensure timely completion. An estimate of the timescales involved in implementing the network was set down in an indicative timetable. The main findings of the Group in respect of adherence to the indicative timetable are summarised as follows: There has been a five month delay in letting the main construction contract for both lines (track laying and mechanical/electrical equipment installation). The target date of October 2000 for awarding this contract has not been met and it is now likely that the main contractor will be appointed in mid-march. This delay is largely due to the decision to incorporate construction work on all lines into this contract, thereby achieving certain economies of scale for the project. The Group will further assess the implications of this slippage on the programme when the contract has been awarded. In most respects, preparatory work on the Tallaght to Abbey Street line has been progressing steadily and is generally on schedule. The contract for construction of the Red Cow depot was awarded in October 2000 and construction is well underway. Difficulties have occurred in a number of areas where preparatory work is being undertaken in cooperation with other agencies. The relocation of facilities at St. James Hospital and new roadworks by South Dublin County Council at the Longmile Road have both been delayed due to funding problems. The Group advises that both these issues are on the critical path for adherence to the project timetable and must be resolved immediately. If not resolved soon, these problems could result in further delays.

9 In relation to the Abbey Street to Connolly Station line (Line C), a second public inquiry was held in September 2000, following the Minister s decision not to approve the original proposals for the terminus at Harbourmaster Place. The Inspector to the inquiry submitted his report to the Minister in October 2000, having found that the revised proposals for the terminus at Connolly Station were acceptable. The Minister subsequently made two light railway orders on 22 November 2000 in respect of this section of the line. No appeals to the orders were submitted within the judicial review period, which expired on 22 January. The Group considers that work on this section of the line could be completed at the same time as the Tallaght to Abbey Street line. The target date of Summer 2003 for the commencement of services on the Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green line (Line B) remains feasible. Property acquisition and preparatory works on this line are progressing in accordance with the project timetable. Work on the Dundrum by-pass, including the foundations for the new bridge over Taney Road on which LUAS will travel, is about to commence. The heavy construction work on this line, including track-laying, mechanical and electrical installations as well as the construction of the depot at Sandyford and of the Taney Bridge, will commence on target shortly after the award of the main construction contract referred to above. The plans for the bridge over the Taney Road/Dundrum junction required modifications so as to be able to support the longer and heavier vehicles envisaged when the line moves from light rail to Metro standard. The first Dublin tram on the production line in La Rochelle, France. 6/7

10 Overview of Progress on the Light Rail Network (continued) The original target dates for the LUAS lines referred to completion of construction. But for a service to be available to the public there are a number of other critical targets to be achieved in synchronisation with the construction schedule. They include particularly the arrangements for the appointment of the operators of the service and they, in turn, have to gear up to be operational on the planned start-up day. Another critical milestone to start-up will be the commissioning of the vehicles and the Railway Inspectorate acceptance of the safety case, which demonstrates that the system is safe for the travelling public. As regards the commissioning and operation of the three light rail lines, the necessary preparations are underway and are being planned in accordance with the target dates for commencement of passenger services. A timetable for the award of the operating franchise has been drawn up and the competition for the franchise has commenced on schedule. The franchise is due to be awarded in October 2001, allowing the operator sufficient time for testing, training drivers and obtaining the safety approvals. In advance of the award of the franchise, an operations expert has been engaged to ensure operational input to the finalisation of design and the construction phase. The Group is satisfied that this will help eliminate any potential setbacks to the project during the operator s settling in period. Line A depot at Red Cow - West Elevation.

11 Findings of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Tallaght Abbey Street (Line A) Under the indicative timetable for this line, construction should be completed by end January It is likely that there will be a five-month delay in awarding the main construction contract. The target date for awarding the contract was October 2000, but this target has not been met, due mainly to an incorporation of construction work on Lines B and C into the contract. Negotiations with the two shortlisted bidders are still on going but it is expected that the contract will be awarded by mid-march Until the contractor is chosen, it will not be possible to realistically assess if the 5 month delay can be recovered or will lead to construction completion being marginally extended from January 2003 to mid There are a number of difficulties involving other institutions and third parties which need to be resolved as a matter of urgency. These issues arise where there is a degree of dependency on third parties in respect of other essential works. To date, none of these issues have eroded the timetable but they threaten to do so if not resolved quickly. The Group advises that the following issues in particular should be addressed as a matter of urgency. The need to secure funding for South County Dublin s development of a junction at the Longmile Road; and a delay in completing the contract to allow for the relocation of the mortuary and laundry building at St. James Hospital in order to facilitate LUAS travelling within its perimeter as indicated by the Inspector to the public inquiry. Work in progress at Steevens Lane Diversion of main Cork-Dublin gas pipeline 8/9

12 Findings of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Tallaght Abbey Street (Line A) (continued) In other respects, progress on Line A has been satisfactory and on schedule. The preparatory construction work, including utilities diversion work and necessary roadworks, is well underway. Preparatory work on the section from Tallaght to Red Cow is now substantially complete. Work on widening access routes to the Square shopping centre in Tallaght should be completed by March. Bórd Gáis has also begun diverting the main Cork-Dublin gas pipeline from Suir Road bridge to facilitate the line on Davitt Road in Inchicore. Steevens Lane, near Heuston Station, will continue to be closed to traffic for some time while work is progressing on the diversion of water mains and telecom cables. Work on the Line A depot at Red Cow is progressing according to schedule. The steelwork for the central control room is almost complete and the administration block walls have been built to second floor level. The depot will stable 26 trams for operation on the Tallaght to Connolly Station line.the first tram will come off the production line in March and is due to arrive in Dublin, after testing, in October Overall production of the trams is on schedule for delivery of 6 trams per quarter, from January Most of the heavy construction on Line A will take place during the coming year. The extent of the traffic disruption will be significant in some areas, and the patience and cooperation of commuters and of the local communities will be a key factor in ensuring that work progresses smoothly. The Group welcomes a number of initiatives planned to manage the disruption and to keep the public well informed in advance of developments. A Traffic Management Committee, comprising representatives from the local authorities, the Garda Síochána, the utility companies and

13 representative business and trade union interests, has been established. Construction updates have been issued regularly to residents and businesses along the line, and this information will shortly be available in more detailed and regularly updated form on the LUAS website at The website will provide up to date advice regarding traffic diversions and alternative routes. In addition, a series of workshops were held during January 2001 with frontagers in the city centre section of the line, i.e. with retailers and businesses fronting directly onto the alignment in that area. The workshops served to appraise business interests of the work to be carried out and the level of disruption to be expected, and also to obtain information regarding their access and delivery needs. This information will be used to inform the traffic management process during the difficult construction period. In March 2000, the Government decided that the Tallaght to Connolly Station line would be operated on a public private partnership basis. The Government subsequently decided, in July 2000, that the Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green line would also be operated on this basis. Accordingly, the Department of Public Enterprise engaged consultants Masons, Booz-Allen Hamilton and Babtie Group to design and conduct a competition leading to the award of an operating franchise. A timetable for the competition has been drawn up with a target date of October 2001 for award of the franchise. The competition was launched by the Minister on 2 January 2001, in accordance with the competition timetable. Work on the Line A depot at Red Cow 10/11

14 Findings of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Sandyford St. Stephen s Green (Line B) Preparatory work on the Sandyford to St. Stephen s Green line is now well advanced, particularly on the old Harcourt Street railway line. Work on the Dundrum by-pass, which will incorporate the foundations for the new bridge over Taney Road on which LUAS will travel, is expected to commence in the near future. In the city centre section, the planning of utility diversions from Grand Parade to St. Stephen s Green has begun. The Light Rail Project Office has recently initiated negotiations with Eirgrid/E.S.B. to advance the date of a major electricity diversion in Harcourt Street, in order to reduce the potential for delays to the timetable nearer the target date for completion. The delay in awarding the main construction contract will not have a knock-on effect on the timetable for Line B, due to some flexibility in the programme and to the extent of the progress already made. The main construction contract also includes the construction of the Line B depot at Sandyford. This major project is due to commence shortly after award of the contract. We believe that the target of Summer 2003 for the commencement of services will be met. In a previous report, the Group suggested that interim services could possibly be introduced on this line, from Sandyford to Ranelagh, by end The Group subsequently asked its Proposed development at Taney Bridge

15 consultants to examine the feasibility of this proposal in detail. The consultants reported to the Group on this matter in November 2000, concluding that interim services would, in fact, be difficult to achieve. The main reason for this is that services on Line B will be controlled from the Line A depot at Red Cow. The construction programme for the new Taney Bridge, Dundrum, on Line B and the tram delivery programme for this line will also not allow for services on this line to be brought forward. The prime focus of the Advisory Group will consequently be on bringing the full service into operation at the earliest possible date. In its last report, the Group noted the plans to upgrade this line to a metro service at a later date and to extend it to Shanganagh to the south and also to Swords via Dublin Airport. The Group also notes new proposals to initially extend the line south as far as Cherrywood, financed by private developers. Site of Line A depot at Sandyford Cleared line in the vicinity of St. Benildus College Landscaping on depot site at Woodford 12/13

16 Findings of the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Abbey Street Connolly Station (Line C) In relation to the Abbey Street to Connolly Station section of the line (Line C), a second public inquiry was held in September 2000, following the Minister s decision not to approve the original proposals for the terminus at Harbourmaster Place. The Inspector to the inquiry found that the revised proposals for the terminus at Connolly Station were appropriate and, in his report to the Minister in October 2000, recommended that they be approved. The Minister accepted the Inspector s recommendations and subsequently made two light railway orders on 22 November in respect of this section of the line. These orders are now in place. The Group is satisfied that work on this section of the line could be completed at the same time as the Tallaght to Abbey Street line. However, due to the delay in awarding the main construction contract, completion of the Abbey Street to Connolly Station line is likely to be affected in like manner to the main section from Tallaght. Until the contract is awarded in March 2001, it is premature to assess the possibility of making up the 5 month delay in awarding the contract or to say if the completion of construction may have to be marginally extended from January 2003 to mid Proposed development outside Wynn s Hotel on Abbey Street

17 14/15

18 Emerging Issues Since publication of the Group s last report in August 2000 and with the development of the construction phase of the project, a number of issues have emerged with the potential to influence the project timetable. The Group has also noted changes proposed for the environment in which the project is administered and for the development of Dublin s public transport in general. These issues and changes must be managed so as to ensure the prioritisation of Lines A, B and C and the adherence to the timetable for commencement of services on these lines. Inter-Agency Co-ordination The construction of the LUAS lines involves parallel works in a number of key areas, carried out independently by other agencies or in co-operation with the Light Rail Project Office. These agencies are mainly the local authorities, the utility companies, Dúchas and St. James Hospital. A key issue is the need for these institutions to align their priorities, decision-making, funding and speed of implementation with the requirements of the LUAS programme. This report highlights a number of areas where lack of inter-agency co-operation is now putting the programme at risk, particularly on Line A. The Group strongly advises that every effort is made to resolve these difficulties as soon as possible and to secure the commitment of other agencies to integrate their work with the project timetable. Where these issues cannot be resolved at inter-agency level, the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure Development should be informed. Commissioning of LUAS into Service Besides construction of the system, a number of activities will be necessary before commencement of passenger services. These activities include the engagement of an operator for the system through a competitive process, testing the system and obtaining the necessary safety approvals. The Group has reviewed the franchise timetable with the consultants charged with designing and conducting a competition for the operating franchise. The necessary preparations are underway for the timely commencement of passenger services. However, the Group will continue to monitor a number of areas critical to the success of this phase of the project, such as the timely passing of the new Transport (Railway Procurement) Bill 2001, which provides for the on-street running of light rail and for a legally acceptable contract structure for the operating franchise. New Administrative Framework for implementation of LUAS The proposed Transport (Railway Procurement) Bill 2001 will establish a new agency called the Railway Procurement Agency, with responsibility for the procurement of new railway infrastructure in Ireland (including any future light rail lines or metro lines). It is proposed that this agency, to be established by Autumn 2001, will also take over the responsibilities currently held by the Light Rail Project Office and will be the contracting body for the light rail operating franchise.

19 TO M50 NAAS ROAD KILLEEN ROAD The Group considers it essential that this change in status and expanded role of the Light Rail Project Office is implemented in a structured way and that the delivery of Lines A, B and C will continue to be prioritised. TO DUBLIN Expanded Light Rail and Metro Network The Group has met with the Dublin Transportation Office for discussions regarding that agency s recently published A Platform for Change, a revised strategy for the Greater Dublin Area up to The Group notes that the LUAS lines, together with plans for an extended LUAS network and Metro, form an integral part of the future for public transport in the Greater Dublin Area and the Group will continue to work and support that objective. The LUAS website at LONG MILE ROAD NAAS ROAD Communications with the Public Proposed LRT at the Longmile Road/Naas Road junction The Group has continued to emphasise the importance of effective communications with the public and with those directly affected by the construction works, and we note the Minister s decision to extend our mandate in this regard. We intend to focus on this issue as a priority as the project enters the main construction phase and significant traffic disruption occurs. The Group welcomes the recent series of media initiatives, such as the publication of a special 16-page supplement in the Irish Independent on 20 January, and the development of the LUAS website ( to provide up-to-date, online information regarding traffic disruption. However, these initiatives must be sustained and intensified, with the objective of reaching all people affected by the development and of promoting, to a wider constituency, the benefits of this new form of public transport. 16/17

20 Annex A Terms of Reference for the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group Updated January The Light Rail Advisory/Action Group will oversee the planning and implementation, by CIE initially and, when established, by the Railway Procurement Agency, of the light rail lines approved by statute, as follows: a line from Tallaght to Abbey Street, as approved by the Dublin Light Rail (Line A Tallaght to Abbey Street) Order 1999, and an extension of that line from Abbey Street to Connolly Station, as approved by the Dublin Light Rail (Line C Abbey Street to Store Street) Order 2000 and by the Dublin Light Rail (Line C(S) Store Street to Connolly Station) Order a line from Sandyford Industrial Estate to St. Stephen s Green, as approved by the Dublin Light Rail (Line B Sandyford Industrial Estate to St. Stephen s Green) Order It will also monitor the arrangements for communication with the public during the construction of the above light rail lines, with an emphasis on effective communications with residents, businesses and the general public as an important factor in the delivery of the project. 2 In carrying out its functions under paragraph 1, the Group will have regard to the indicative timetable announced by the Minister for Public Enterprise in Dail Eireann on 12 May, The group will be chaired by Padraic White, former Managing Director of the IDA and a director of a number of leading Irish and international companies. The other members are: Donal Mangan, the Light Rail Project Director; Andrew Cullen, Assistant Secretary, Department of Public Enterprise; Tom Wall, Assistant General Secretary, ICTU; Gerry Duggan, Manager of Strategic Consultancy Group, ESB International; Caroline Gill, Insurance Ombudsman; Oliver O'Connor, Special Adviser to the Tánaiste. 4 The Group will report directly to the Minister for Public Enterprise and its reports will be published. 5 The Group is authorised to retain consultants to advise and assist it in the performance of its functions. The Department of Public Enterprise will act as client for any consultancy contract. The consultants will participate, as required, in meetings of the Group. 6 The functions of the Group do not, and are not intended to, prejudice the statutory responsibilities of Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE) under the Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act, It is clearly understood that CIE is responsible for the planning and implementation of the light rail project and that the role of the Group is confined to overseeing their work.

21 Annex B Progress against the Indicative Timetable for the Light Rail Project Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J Line A - Tallaght Route Targets Design LRO Display PL Tendering & Contracts Preparatory Works Progress Ministerial Order Signed 1/3/99 Rolling Stock Contract Signed 14/1/99 Inspector s Report Issued 18/12/98 Public Inquiry Commenced 2/11/98 Construction Construction Complete Winter 2002 LRO Submitted 22/7/98 Preparatory Works Commenced 9/8/99 Depot Construction Commenced Utility Diversions Commenced A100 7/12/99 Operator Competition Commenced 02/01/ Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J Line B - Sandyford Route Targets Progress Studies Design LRO Display PL Tendering & Contracts Construction Preparatory Works Construction Complete Summer 2003 Inspector s Report Issued 16/6/99 Public Inquiry Commenced 6/4/99 LRO Submitted 14/12/98 CPO/Property Acquisition Process Underway Site clearance & Landscape Work Commenced 14/2/00 Basement & Site Surveys Underway Ministerial Order Signed 8/9/ Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum Aut Win Spr Sum F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J Line C - Connolly Route Targets Progress Studies Design LRO PJ Tendering & Contracts Construction Preparatory Works Public Inquiry Commenced 9/11/99 LRO Submitted 29/9/99 Newsletter No.2 Issued 16/8/99 Revised LRO submitted 1/6/00 Decision on Revised Scheme for Connolly Station Ministerial Approval for Route to Store Street Inspector s Report Issued 14/1/00 Construction Complete Winter 2002 Newsletter Issued 15/2/99 Ministerial Orders Signed 22/11/00 Public Inquiry Completed 20/9/00 18/19

22 Annex C Operational Guidelines for the Light Rail Advisory & Action Group 1 Overall mission To oversee the planning and implementation of the Dublin LRT project as approved by statute. It is an Advisory group to the Minister. It does not have a line or executive function. There is an existing implementation structure the Department of Public Enterprise; LRT Monitoring Group; CIE; LRT project office; Joint Utilities Group. The Advisory Group will not substitute for or diminish the statutory responsibilities of the Departments and agencies responsible for planning, funding & implementation of the LRT and which are part of the implementation structure. 2 Twin objectives key to the overall mission There are twin and parallel objectives which the Advisory Group will regard as paramount to its overall mission. The first objective is timeliness of implementation of the LRT in the words of Minister O Rourke, the Advisory Group will assist in keeping up the momentum so that Dublin will have a light rail network within the shortest possible time. The Group regards the Indicative Timetable, announced by the Minister for Public Enterprise in Dail Eireann on 12 May 1998, as the minimum acceptable time scale. The Group will continuously seek to identify and advise the Minister on ways in which the Indicative Timetable can be improved on in the interests of ameliorating the traffic congestion in Dublin and enabling citizens to avail of the benefits of the LRT at the earliest possible opportunity. The second objective is the maximum practical adherence to the light rail project as approved by Government on 5 May The Government decision is incorporated in a statement of the planned network and the map of the network produced at the time. The Advisory Group, in overseeing the planning and implementation of the project will use, as its reference point, the content and intent of the Government decision of 5 May 1998 and any relevant subsequent statements by the Minister, while recognising that some deviations may prove unavoidable for geological, community or other valid reasons.

23 3 Areas of particular focus in meeting its twin objectives The Advisory Group will focus on a small number of areas of interest which it considers critical to meeting the twin objectives of timeliness and adherence to the Government network decision and which are consistent with its overseeing role. The relevant areas of interest are those which can reasonably be anticipated as sources of delay or where, on the other hand, initiatives can be taken to speed up the implementation. The areas of interest include: a) Timely availability of funding; b) The implications of any planned publicprivate sector participation (PPP) for the timetable; c) Adequacy of Staffing and expertise available to the implementation organisations; d) Adequacy and speed of decision making processes and execution in the various implementation organisations; 4 Use of Consultants The Advisory Group can avail of consultants to assist in its work. 5 Reporting to the Minister for Public Enterprise The Group will report directly to the Minister and its reports will be published. The intention is to report initially every 6 months. The Group can convey its views and advice to the Minister on important matters within its remit at any time. 6 Other aspects The Group, at its discretion, may wish to convey its views to the Minister on proposals for extension or modifications of the Dublin Light Rail network and the implications for the indicative timetable and funding of the network as approved by Government on 5th May Note: These guidelines were adopted in December 1998 and will be reviewed by the Advisory Group from time to time. e) Effectiveness of institutional relationships and co-operation between the implementation organisations. 20/21 Traffic Diversions at Naas Road

24 Annex D Overview of Implementation and Monitoring Structure Minister for Public Enterprise The Minister decides on application for light railway orders, provides a policy framework for the project and allocates funding. CIE Board CIE has overall responsibility for the project. Light Rail Advisory/Action Group The Group advises the Minister on timely implementation of the project and adherence to the Government s indicative timetable. Light Rail Monitoring Committee Membership comprises representatives from the Departments of Public Enterprise and Finance and CIE. The Group s mandate relates primarily to the project budget, programming and project management. CIE LRT Project Office The CIE Light Rail Project Office is responsible for implementation of the project.