The first section of rail works has commenced on the new Luas link to Citywest and Saggart.

Construction of Luas Citywest is now well underway with works completed to a level which has allowed the installation of the first section of track through Citywest Business Campus.

Track works in the remaining areas are expected to get underway in the coming weeks including the N82 and Fortunestown lane road crossings.

The construction of the park and ride facility is also underway.

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This new line is being developed through a partnership between the public and private sectors and it is expected that passenger services will start in early 2011.

The private sector consortium which has been formed to partner the Railway Procurement Agency in the delivery of Line A1 is Citywest Luas Ltd (CLL).

CLL is a group of local landowners and business interests comprising of Davy Hickey Properties, Harcourt Developments Limited and Mansfield Group.

RPA has also signed a contract with BAM Rail Ltd for the tie-in of this new line at Cookstown, the building of the substations and the reconfiguration of Belgard Stop.

It has also placed an order for the delivery of eight new trams to augment the existing fleet.

Luas Citywest (Line A1) is a key project within Transport 21.

(PR/BMcC)