Would a Waterford Luas line work?

A computer game designer from Waterford who ran as an independent in the local and General Elections has proposed that the development of a Waterford Luas line should be something to be given consideration.

Killian Mangan outlined the nature of his proposal in the wake of the recent National Transport Authority’s feasibility report on the mooted shuttle bus service across the new sustainable transport bridge in the city.

Commenting on the matter to Waterford News & Star, Mr Mangan said the spotlight was once again shone on "the dire state of public transport in our city", especially for those who face additional accessibility needs due to age or disability.

He said "the flashy gimmick of a tiny shuttle bus" going back and forth across the 200 meter span of a bridge was never a sensible or realistic idea, although he added: "The novelty factor certainly helped to sell the overall vision of the North Quays Development in its early stages, but ultimately, there is a reason why there doesn’t seem to be anything similar in existence elsewhere."

However, he said the disconnection of the new train station, the North Quays project more broadly, and "the often-ignored area of Ferrybank", from the rest of the city is an important and enduring concern which must be rectified with serious solutions based on best-practice across the world. 

"We don’t need an autonomous shuttle bus, we need a tram," he said.

"This has led me to create a mock-up of what a potential route for a Waterford Luas could look like," he added.

To choose a preferred route, Mr Mangan looked at population density maps and topographical maps of the city in order to identify a route that would ensure a significant proportion of the city’s 60k inhabitants were within at least a 10 to 15 minute walk to the Luas, depending on the number of stops along the route. He also said the proposed route would also avoid the steepest hills that a tram system would struggle to scale.

Admitting that he is "not an engineer", he said he created his proposal in order to generate discussion and promote the idea of better public transport in the city.

"For too long, we have been failed by the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments in Dublin, which have prioritised lowering our expectations over improving our public realm and infrastructure," he said.

"This legacy leads to some people discounting the idea of a tram in Waterford as a fantasy, despite at least 10 French and German cities, with smaller populations than Waterford, having trams," he added.

"The most recent example, of Valenciennes in France, [which] built their tram in 2006, while a city in Austria with a similar population to Tramore also has a tram system."

So why not us?

Having posted maps of his proposed route on social media Mr Mangan said a common response resurfaced "again and again" and that was the notion of putting the 'tram' back in Tramore.

"As a fast-growing town near to Waterford City, public transport options certainly need to be improved, but a tram works best connecting contiguous medium-to-high density areas, within the same urban or suburban zone," said Mr Mangan.

"Between Waterford City and Tramore, there lies a long stretch of rural land along the Tramore road, which would make a tram far from ideal," he said.

"A much higher-potential idea is to build a new rail line from Waterford City to Tramore, as part of a much-needed direct rail line linking Waterford, our fifth largest city, with Cork, our second largest city, with stations also in Dungarvan, Youghal, and Midleton along the way," he added.

He also commented on the push in Cork to extend the Cork City to Midleton rail line out to Youghal, to run alongside the new greenway, and said: "We are tantalisingly close to a future extension to Dungarvan, Tramore, and Waterford City."

"If only our national Government can finally stop leaving Waterford behind and if the people of Waterford can collectively believe in the full potential of our city, county, and region," he said.

Mr Mangan said the most glaring question with his proposed Waterford Luas route, would be whether or not the new bridge would be able to sustain a one-way Luas line along its length. 

"While the Luas is a lot narrower and lighter than most trams in other countries, it would still weigh considerably more than the shuttle bus, so a structural feasibility study would need to be carried out by experts in order to see if the bridge, as designed, could withstand a Luas traveling its length or if structural upgrades would be required," he said.

However, he said that such a proposal could only gather momentum with support from the public and elected representatives.

"It is only when our friends, our family, our colleagues, our neighbours, and ultimately our elected representatives get on board that a project like this can start to become a reality," he said.