The Bray Chamber of Commerce released a statement today in response to the Minister for Transports, Noel Dempsey, assurance that the Government remains fully commited to Luas Line B2 extension to Bray.
Their statement reads:
Bray & District Chamber was extremely concerned to learn that the Luas Line B2 Extension to Bray was the only Luas project not included in the Programme for Government, as reported in the Wicklow Times newspaper. The Chamber – which has led the campaign to ensure the delivery of the Luas extension to the Bray environs with a spur into Bray Town Centre – was further extremely concerned and dismayed to read the comments made by a representative of a Government party to the Wicklow Times, in which they were quoted as stating that the Bray project had been “shelved” during negotiations between Fianna Fail and the Green Party.
The concern of Bray Chamber was further increased when comments from reported in the Wicklow Times were repeated by the same representative during a live discussion on the issue on East Coast fm (broadcast Tuesday 10th July 2007).
Over the weeks since the reports emerged, Bray & District Chamber has been vigilant in its ongoing discussions with representatives of the Government. We have continued to seek guarantees from the Government that commitments made under Transport 21 that the Luas would be delivered to Bray would be met by the new Government.
A delegation from Bray & District Chamber met with the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, at the end of July, along with the Minister of State for European Affairs and local TD, Dick Roche. The meeting with Minister Dempsey was a very positive one, during which the Minister confirmed that the Government is fully committed to delivering an extension of the Luas to Bray in accordance with Transport 21. The Chamber is pleased to note that the Minister for Transport also clarified the matter in writing to Deputy Roche, which has since been noted by Bray Chamber.
Commenting, President of Bray & District Chamber, Eugene Finnegan stated:
“Bray Chamber is satisfied following our meeting with Minister Dempsey and Minister Roche that the Luas Line B2 extension is on track for delivery under Transport 21. The fact that the project was the only project not included in the Programme for Government, as well as the fact that selected representatives of the Government parties stated not once, but twice, is a matter that remains of grave concern to Bray Chamber. That being said, we are assured by the Minister for Transport that there has been no change in the status of the Luas project for Bray. As a Chamber, we will remain vigilant and will work with all parties to ensure that the project is not only delivered on time, but also ahead of time, for the community of Bray and County Wicklow as a whole. Additionally, Bray Chamber remains committed to campaigning to ensure that the Luas is not only delivered to Fassaroe, outside Bray, but also into the centre of the town at Bray Dart Station.”
) we signed up our 100th artist!!!!