[Colm Moore]

http://dublinobserver.com/2010/08/ne...medium=twitter

New station to remain closed on Dunboyne line

A fully complete railway station is to remain closed when services start next week because developers have yet to build an access road.

Rail Users Ireland said it was unacceptable that Hansfield Station in Dublin 15 will not open when train services to Dunboyne start next Friday.

“It is unacceptable, many of the residents of Hansfield bought there homes based on the promise of a railway station and a direct service to Dublin. There needs to be clarity as to what is going on and as to whether Irish Rail or Fingal County Council will step in to build the road,” said Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland.

The unfinished access route

A banner still lines the boundary of Barnwell Hansfield saying: “Looks what’s coming Summer 2010 … Hansfield’s very own Train Station,” with the text “choo… choo… choose Barnwell Hansfield.”

Irish Rail said that the station is “fully complete”, but the rail company said it has yet to be given a timescale for the completion of the access road.

“As the developer has not built the access road, the line will open with Dunboyne and M3 Parkway Stations operational, and Hansfield will open when the developer completes the road,” said Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny.

He said the line will be officially opened this Thursday, September 2, with the full schedule commencing on Friday, September 3.

Kenny added: “As the development and access road works have stalled, we do not currently have a timescale from the developer for when this will be delivered. However, we are working with Fingal County Council to ensure that the developer honours their contractual obligation to build the road.”

Fingal County Council said it was in ongoing discussion with Irish Rail to work towards the opening of Hansfield Station.

“It is the responsibility of the developer to ensure that the access road for Hansfield Station is completed satisfactorily, and you would need to speak directly to Menolly Homes and Irish Rail on this matter,” said Ann Murphy, assistant communications officer at Fingal County Council.

Irish Rail confirmed that Menolly Homes and Manor Park Homes are responsible for building the access road. However, the developers have not replied to emails requesting comment.

The “fully complete” Hansfield Station surrounded by fields and a construction sites

Commuter rail services on the 7.5km railway line which has cost €160 million will also serve Dunboyne and a park-and-ride station M3 Parkway near Pace, both in Co Meath. It is the phase one of project to restore a rail link from Dublin to Navan, Co Meath. No bus services to M3 Parkway have being announced.

The timetable for the new rail line was released this week (PDF), with a note that “Hansfield opening date will be advised at a later date.” Train times can also be viewed using Irish Rail’s online timetable by entering dates on and after next Friday.

Trains will run from M3 Parkway, stop at Dunboyne, pass Hansfield until it opens, stop at the current Clonsilla Station. At weekdays trains will run express from Clonsilla to the Docklands Station in Dublin. Only trains on Saturday and Sunday will go to Connolly Station.

Commuters wanting to get to Pearse, Tara Street, Connolly, Drumcondra, Broombridge, Ashtown, Castleknock, Coolmine, Maynooth, or Leixlip stations should switch trains at Clonsilla.

The Docklands Station is around 500m to Luas Red Line stops, just under 900m to the nearest Dublin Bikes station on Custom House Quay and 1km to Connolly Station.