End to Clongriffin DART station saga in sight

The long-running saga of the dysfunctional DART station in Clongriffin appears to finally have an end in sight.

After years of tireless campaigning from local residents, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has published a set of recommendations on what can be done to improve conditions at the station. 

An options and feasibility report, commissioned by the NTA on behalf of Fingal County Council, Irish Rail and the landowners set out a number of recommendations.

The recommendations in the report include a new lift, replacing the temporary structure that has been in place since 2010, additional lighting and improved security measures at the station which has been plagued by anti-social behaviour in recent times.

Split into three parts, the recommendations laid out short-term, medium-term and long-term plans for the station.

In the short term, and among the most pressing of requests by local residents, the procurement of a new lift car and upgrading of the existing stairs has been recommended by the report. 

It is estimated that these changes can be implemented in a 3-to-4-month time frame. 

Over a 12-to-18-month timeframe, semi-permanent ramp access and improving the lift at the station have been recommended. 

Dubbed “resilience measures” in builder speak, these changes would be subject to statutory planning consent but could be implemented in a relatively short time frame. 

In the long-term, the design of a permanent plaza could be implemented at the station, but there is no timeframe for the implementation of this plan. 

The report reads “the design development should consider how the plaza could be delivered in advance of the wider development of the lands.”

“All parties have indicated willingness to engage on progressing the design,” it added.

Myrtle The Coast Residents Association welcomed the suggestions, but said “it is still a work in progress until we see the job done.”

“We couldn’t ask for a better result at this stage and we look forward to sharing updates on when these upgrades will commence,” saying it is a “huge win for our community.”

Speaking to Northside People in January, Samantha O’Flanagan, chairperson of Myrtle The Coast Residents Association said that the stairwell is covered in rust and broken in places, the lift is frequently out of order, and even when it is in an operational state “it is like something out of a horror film.”

“For our residents who are mobility impaired, their access is essentially cut off, and this isn’t even covering the safety issues surrounding the structure which has high rates of anti-social behaviour leaving locals scared to use it in the darker evenings,” she said.

The organisation said “to get this far we have to thank all our local Councillors, especially Social Democrats Councillor Joan Hopkins and Green Party Councillor David  Healy” who they dubbed ‘a force from the beginning.’”

They thanked local TDs for raising it in the Dáil, with local TDs Cian O’Callaghan, Richard Bruton and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin raising it on numerous occasions, and expressed thanks to the team at Access For All Ireland.

“Access For All Ireland highlighted this issue long before us and has supported us from the start, especially co-founder Bernard Mulvany and his daughter Sophia.”

“We want to thank the whole community for getting behind our campaign – they showed up to the public meeting, the protest, signing and sharing the petition, and supporting in every way – here’s hoping we are sharing progress reports soon!” they said.

Access For All Ireland said, “we’ve campaigned hard for this over the past 4 years.”

“Back in 2020, Councillor Hopkins and Mr. Mulvany joined forces and walked and wheeled around the station determined to see safe secure access that means so much to the people of Clongriffin.”

They said once Myrtle The Coast Residents Association became involved with the campaign with their “dogged determination,” the campaign was able to achieve its aim.

Mulvany, a People Before Profit local area rep and local election candidate, said “this is a very positive result after years of hard campaigning.”

“People power effects change and change that makes life better for whole communities,” he said.

Minister for Transport Éamon Ryan visited the station in the first week of January to get a first-hand look at the station and accepted that the situation was “unacceptable.”

A spokesperson for the NTA told the Irish Independent that the “recommendations and next steps” identified in the report have been agreed upon by the four stakeholders in this situation; the NTA themselves, Fingal County Council, Irish Rail and Richmond Homes.

They stated that the NTA has committed funding to the next phase of development of the measures outlined in the report.

“It is now planned for all parties to engage with residents, local elected representatives and other interested groups to outline the proposed measures,” the spokesperson said.

They said that the stakeholders are “committed” to implementing measures in the short term to improve conditions at Clongriffin DART station.