Opening of train station is delayed again

Frustration is growing among Lucan residents at the news that the long-mooted Kishogue Train Station will not open at the end of this year as originally planned.

 The station, located on the Kildare line between Clondalkin and Adamstown was first completed in 2009, but has been left unused since it was built.

 The station is linked to the “new town” of Clonburris, which was mooted to follow in the footsteps of Adamstown as a new community on the outskirts of Dublin.

 The economic crash of 2008 put paid to Clonburris being built in conjunction with the Kishogue Train Station, but the station found a new lease of life as the Clonburris project was revived and the population of the nearby Lucan saw rapid population growth.

 Dublin Mid-West Sinn Féin councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh said the community is both “disappointed” and “concerned” at another delay hitting the project.

 “The news is not the response anyone wanted to hear,” he said.

 “This particularly applies to the large swathe of commuters already experiencing real difficulties getting to work on time and depending on an over-strained peak hour bus service to make vitally important transport connections for hospital appointments, getting to school and college and arriving at other important daily destinations.”

 “Fifteen years have now passed since the station was initially built, with the original cost of construction €6.35m. Anxious commuters and the public generally that live in a rapidly developing Lucan landscape, were told last year that the station would have to undergo upgrades, including a lift replacement, internal and external wall works, renewing all mechanical, electrical and telecom cables, up to date signage, paths and paving – the further projected cost of these works being in the region of €3.8m.”

 “In 2021 I received detail stating that ‘assessments’ were taking place with a series of inspections, conditions surveys/studies and stakeholders were being consulted on the requirements for bringing the station into service. Works were needed by Iarnród Éireann in the interim before opening.”

 However, the Councillor received news that the station will not open until Spring of 2024 owing to Iarnód Eireann electing to undertake a tender process on the project.

 “The explanation provided this week states that Iarnród Eireann has undertaken a tender process to appoint contractors to complete the works required to open the station. This involves discussions with the Council and relevant landowners to discuss the temporary and permanent access arrangements to the station, with anticipated tenders still to be awarded. It is now expected that the works at the station will take six more months as a result,” he said.

“My colleague Mark Ward TD has also been raising the need for Kishogue Train Station to open its doors as a matter of urgency, and has submitted parliamentary questions seeking clarification on any cost overruns in light of this news.”

Ó Brádaigh said that with the Clonburris project being revived in the near future and the ever-growing population of Lucan, it is now “imperative” that the station opens soon.

“The population of Lucan has increased dramatically, continues to grow, and is expected to rise significantly in the immediate to longer term. This is a vital piece of infrastructure and residents in Lucan were told that the delays to date were as a result of strategic planning. It was stated that the station would be delivered in tandem with the Clonburris SDZ and housing development.”

 “The construction of Clonburris Phase One situated closest to this very facility off the R136 is due to commence very shortly and it is now imperative that this hugely important transport facility opens ahead of the completion of these homes,” he said.