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Double deck car park bid at Portmarnock railway station PLANNING permission for a new double decked car park at Portmarnock railway station should be sought from Fingal County Council during the year. The scheme which is currently being designed will hopefully bring relief to hard-pressed commuters using the station who are faced with a chronic shortage of parking there ever day. The introduction of yellow lines, backed-up with the threat of clamping, by Iarnród Éireann has safety reasons has angered commuters who have been forced to find alternative parking because of the new arrangements. Many motorists have been left with no alternative but to park on the nearby footpath and at the side of a road in order to make their train connections into the city centre but even those spaces are at a premium. Others have been forced to walk to the station, while more leave their cars in the village and walk the remainder of the journey, adding to the stress of getting to work. The car park is generally full at 7.30am each day despite the fact that there are rush-hour services at 7.49am and 8.12am. In a letter to Deputy Trevor Sargent, Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive, Mr Richard Fearn, stated; ‘We recognise the difficulties being caused at Portmarnock by the demand for car parking substantially exceeding the supply available. ‘Initially we endeavoured to obtain more land in the vicinity but this has proved unachievable. ‘As a result we are now planning a major scheme to provide a double decked car park on the existing site. ‘This will require planning permission of course but it is the only solution feasible within the constraints of the land available adjacent to the station.’ ‘The scheme for the double decked car park is currently being designed and Irish rail anticipates applying for planning permission during 2007.’ By Fergalk Maddock Fingal Independent 24/01/ 2007 ‘Park and ride facilities and feeder buses are also needed’ A DOUBLE decked car park looks set to be built at Portmarnock DART Station, in an effort to ease the congestion problems currently being experienced by rail users. Welcoming the proposal, Labour General Election candidate, Brendan Ryan, has said that park and ride facilities and feeder buses also needed to be provided. Mr Ryan welcomed news of the additional parking space while on a walkabout in Swords with Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte, last Thursday. ‘Obviously the extra parking spaces are very welcome because there’s chaos there at the moment, as there is in Balbriggan, Malahide, Rush and Lusk, Balbriggan, Donabate and Skerries. ‘However, it’s not enough as these spaces will fill up as well. What we need is to have feeder buses, park and ride facilities, and to encourage more people to walk to the station.’ He added: ‘These are longer term solutions, but they’re also more environmental, and better in the long run.’ Local Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent TD has also welcomed the increase in car parking capacity at Portmarnock station. He called for car park to be constructed as soon and as quickly as possible, given the inevitable disruption which will be caused during the construction phase. Deputy Sargent said: I know many people who feel there is no option but to drive to Portmarnock DART station as the road is quite narrow. ‘I urge Fingal County Council also to become involved in making it possible for people to cycle and walk. ‘I would also urge Dublin Bus to recognise the need and the demand for a shuttle bus so commuters have an option other than driving to the station.’ Fingal Independent 24/01/ 2007 By Eimear Cotter
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