Taoiseach Brian Cowen has officially launched works on the new Luas link to Citywest and Saggart.

The Luas line A1 will extend the existing Luas Red Line from Belgard to Saggart and include five new stops, two new substations, a 300 space park and ride facility and eight new trams.

The new line is being developed through a partnership between the public and private sectors Railway Procurement Agency RPA and Citywest Luas Ltd (CLL).

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Passenger services will start in early 2011. It is estimated that the new line will carry up to five million passengers each year.

South Dublin Mayor Marie Corr welcomed the start of the new A1 Luas Line.

She said: "This of course will be a tremendous boost to Tallaght and its environs both from a transportation perspective and also from an economical perspective."

The Mayor said the development is in line with South Dublin County Council's Transportation Policy and Mobility Plan, which are centred on the provision of good public transport systems including Quality Bus Corridors, Cycle Lanes, upgrading the current Road Network, Intelligent Transport Systems and Travel Demand Management.

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

(PR/JM)