DUBLIN’S NEWEST Dart station was opened yesterday by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey at Clongriffin, North Dublin.
Construction of the €22 million station was a condition of the planning permissions for the Clongriffin and Coast housing developments. Approximately 65 per cent of the cost was borne by Gannon Homes, builders of Clongriffin with the remainder funded by Coast developers Helsingor.
Iarnród Éireann, which was responsible for the design and running of the station said it will take just 17 minutes to reach the city centre by Dart from Clongriffin, with 63 trains a day serving the station.
Clongriffin, on the border of Fingal and Dublin city was initially planned as a new “north fringe” town to have a population of 30,000 to 40,000, and facilities such as a cinema, department store, supermarket, and other facilities.
The eventual population has now been revised to about 25,000. So far about 4,000 homes have been built, a large number of which remain for sale. Few of the retail units are occupied, although a Centra store, off-licence, Chinese restaurant and a pharmacy have opened.
The development of the new town has suffered as a result of the property collapse. But the developers hope the opening of the new station will give fresh impetus to sales.
The station will also serve the existing communities of Baldoyle and Donaghmede and a park and ride facility with 400 spaces for commuters has been provided.
Local Labour councillor Seán Kenny said residents of a neighbouring development could not get to the station because developer Stanley Holdings was leaving roads unfinished.
“It is regrettable that commuters in nearby Belmayne will be unable to access Clongriffin directly, due to the foot-dragging delays by Coalport and Stanley Holdings in completing the Priory Hall Road and the connecting Main Street, Belmayne” he said.
Speaking at the station opening Mr Dempsey said its development was an example of a successful public private partnership scheme.
