THE farcical
‘ghost train station’ of Dublin 15 could be open for commuters by the end of the year.
Northside People has learned that work to build an access road to the
?¬10 million train station in Hansfield, which has never been used, is due to get underway in the summer months.
This follows a major development earlier this month when land was transferred from the developer to Fingal County Council.
The land was transferred as part of a deal which saw Fingal County Council pay just over e4 million for 14.78 acres of land on which schools will be built.
The land deal is a key step in efforts to end the ridiculous and embarrassing situation which saw Hansfield station built in 2010 without any means for commuters to access it.
A spokesperson for Fingal County Council confirmed that significant progress has been made to rectify the situation.
“The developer was responsible for the construction of the road but because of the downturn that just didn’t happen,
? he told Northside People.
“The land for the road was transferred to public ownership and contracts were signed on April 5.
“Irish Rail have taken responsibility for the road building project and are currently seeking tenders while the NTA (National Transport Authority) are funding the cost of the build.
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Local councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) welcomed the signing of the land deal and praised all parties involved for bringing it forward to this stage.
“As well as the land for the access road, Fingal County Council bought 14.78 acres for primary and secondary school sites to provide for future needs in the Hansfield area,
? he said.
“Blanchardstown West Educate Together, which is currently in prefabs at Castaheany, will be one of the schools to locate there.
“Councillors approved the transfer of the land to the Department of Education at the April Council meeting for
?¬275,000 per acre.
“The price for this land at
?¬4,064,500 is 40 per cent lower than that paid for a similar size plot at Kellystown in 2010 to provide for Schoil Choilm and Luttrellstown Community College.
“There was an opportunity for the council to acquire the land at a much reduced market price to provide infrastructure up front which is something this Government is keen to do. Hansfield now has a brand new train station and school sites and is well able to accommodate new development in the area whenever that may be.
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It is thought that plans for a 198 space-car-park in the area have been temporarily put on hold pending an appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
Cllr Dennison believes it would have been ideal to build the car park in conjunction with the road.
News of the transfer of land was also welcomed by Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.
“This marks real progress for Hansfield Station which cannot open for use until a proper access road has been put in place,
? he said.
“I look forward to work starting on the road so that the station will finally be able to offer regular services to passengers.
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A contractor for the work is expected to be selected within a couple of months.