@sinabhfuil I’m not trying to be smart here, I am saying this based on my experience working as a city councillor. The problem is democracy (or at least our version of it). It’s far far easier to implement radical change when you a) don’t have to consult with groups who will be negatively affected by the change and b) don’t have to worry about getting re-elected.

@karlstanley @sinabhfuil It’s worth noting that Ireland’s formerly extensive railway network was built when Ireland was… in the Empire. So consultation when building the network wasn’t much of an issue.

@kevinteljeur @karlstanley @sinabhfuil Except the routes were forced by the local English lords. Quite often built not where it made sense, but where it was esthetically pleasing to them. Check e.g. the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, having a legitimate claim to be the oldest passenger route in the world. A lot of it is built within the sea cliff so that that it wouldn't spoil Lord Cloncurry's view.

@skolima @karlstanley @sinabhfuil That line is a very interesting and good example. I grew up next to it. We take that line for granted now but it erased a long stretch of coastline across South Dublin and ploughed through a lot more - could you do that now?

@kevinteljeur @skolima @karlstanley Oh no. That's all Dublin4Land now

@sinabhfuil @skolima @karlstanley But when they built it, wealth and power were concentrated on the North-central side of the city, if I’m not mistaken.

@kevinteljeur @skolima @karlstanley Yes, nobody bothered about those southside peasants then. It was only when "healthy air" became the fashion that the rich started building on the hillsides of the southside - Mount Tallant, Mount Drummond, Mount Jerome, etc. And in those days the stormy sea was a thing of horror. It was only in the Romantic Age that the sea became a romantic view and the rich built along the coast