Iarnród Éireann has filed for planning permission for a new train station near the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The station, which is to be financed by developers Flynn and O'Flaherty, was a key condition of recent planning permission for 2,300 new homes in the area.
To be built at a cost of about €6 million, the Phoenix Park Railway Station will be located mid-way between Ashtown and Castleknock stations.
It is expected to be open to passengers early in 2007 and journey time for the six-mile trip to Connolly Station in the city centre is expected to be about 14 minutes.
Iarnród Éireann currently carries about 3,400 passengers each morning on the route which is part of its Dublin to Maynooth suburban service. Dublin to Sligo services also use the route.
Over the next four to five years, Iarnród Éireann plans to treble its capacity on the route, starting with additional services from Connolly Station once the DART is updated. A proposed station in the Docklands is also expected to make further platform space available in Connolly Station.
According to Mr Barry Kenny, public affairs manager with Iarnród Éireann, the proposed station "will be a very easy commute of 14 to 15 minutes". He said the company expected the planning process to take about six months allowing for construction to begin next summer.
Just 500 of the new homes are to be built before the new station is in operation, according to Dublin City Council.
