DUBLIN’S DAWSON STREET will get a northbound Luas, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has announced.

Back in May, the Railway Procurement Agency told Dublin City Council that commuters would only be able to get off or on heading in the southbound direction at the Dawson Street stop.

However, an Bord Pleanála has now granted the RPA permission to also develop a northbound stop on the street as part of Luas Cross City.

Donohoe welcomed the decision, saying the application had “widespread support from key stakeholders in the business community, Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus and the community generally”.

I also know that the Luas Cross City team has been very active on the ground in engaging with local businesses as works have been progressing and that businesses along Dawson Street were particularly keen to have a northbound stop located there.

This decision means that a stop will be positioned halfway between the St Stephen’s Green and Westmoreland Street stops, leaving just 500 metres between stops.

Donohoe said this means access to tourist attractions such as the National Gallery, Trinity College and the National Library will be “considerably enhanced”.

The minister said Luas Cross City – which will run from the Green Line terminus at St Stephen’s Green through the city centre, Phibsborough and Cabra to Broombridge – is on budget and on time for opening in late 2017.

Someone drove their car onto the Luas Green Line this evening

Your Dublin Bus and Irish Rail commutes just got more expensive