The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

AN EXTRA 6million passengers travelled on Dublin’s Luas light rail system over the past year — an increase of 17 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Provisional figures show that there was an even bigger surge in the numbers using the Red Line — covering the north city and travelling out to Tallaght.

Numbers on this 15km line jumped by 25 per cent over the year.

Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) chairman Padraic A White welcomed the news.

He said it came ahead of future Luas projects already sanctioned by the government.

Seven new Luas lines are being planned as well as another two Metro lines.

With 2006 figures showing up to 26million passengers using the existing Green and Red lines it is expected there will be no shortage of travellers on the new routes.

Under Transport 21 — the government’s blueprint for transport infrastructure — permission was given in 2006 for the Red line extension to the Docklands as well as the Green line addition to Cherrywood, south Dublin.

Terms were also agreed between the RPA and developers over the Red line’s roll out to Citywest.

And consultation has also begun on the proposed extension from Cherrywood to Bray in Co. Wicklow.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen is also considering the options for joining the Red and Green lines in the city centre.