PLANNING PERMISSION FOR the Luas Green Line to extend to Finglas was granted yesterday by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

It will create a direct line between the existing station at Broombridge and a new station at Charlestown by going through Finglas Village.

Cabinet signed off on the application last October and said the line could be up and running by 2031.

But what route will it take and where will it stop?

We’ve broken down all the important information you need to know about the new extension.

What route will it take?

The Broombridge to Charlestown route Department of Transport Department of Transport

The new route will travel 3.9km northwards from Broombridge to Charlestown.

From Broombridge, it crosses the Royal Canal and then continues along Broombridge Road before crossing the River Tolka in Tolka Valley Park.

It then continues along a green strip at St Helena’s and then along the eastern side of Farnham grass pitches.

It then goes through more green spaces alongside Casement Road, Patrickswell Place and Cardiffcastle Road before passing through a new corridor created within the Finglas Garda Station car park and then onto the Mellowes Road.

The route then travels along the eastern side of Mellows Park, across Finglas Road and
finally along St Margaret’s Road to Charlestown.

The tram route will be mostly off-road through residential areas, and separated from road traffic. 

Where will the new stations be?

The new stations will be in Charlestown, St Margaret’s Road, Finglas Village and St Helena’s.

The Charlestown stop will be at Charlestown Junction, where St Margaret’s Road meets Charlestown Place.

The St Margaret’s stop will be at the southern end of St Margaret’s Road.

The Finglas Village stop will be located on Mellowes Road in front of the Finglas Youth Resource and Sport Centre and next to the fire station.

St Helena’s Stop will be in St Helena’s park, and a new public space has been proposed for the stop.

What else do I need to know?

Up to 60,000 people will be served by the extension of the Green Line, with trams to run every 7.5 minutes. The line will also interchange with bus and additional rail services.

The St Margaret’s Road stop will also include a 350-vehicle park and ride, close to the M50 and M2 interchange.

When completed, the journey time from Charlestown to College Green will be
around 30 minutes.

Some politicians are pushing for the route to be finished ahead of schedule.

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North-West Paul McAuliffe said that while it technically remains a post-2027 project, it is hoped “that we can bring it forward” and expects the Government to approve it because it is “a very deliverable shovel ready infrastructure project”.

Social Democrats TD for Dublin North-West Rory Hearne has called for funding for the project to be fast-tracked, adding that there are fears that the project may not be delivered “for another ten years”.

With additional reporting from Jane Moore.