Blackrock Station Access
August 9 2024
Rail Users Ireland, Ireland's National Rail Users Organisation made a submission on August 9th to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council concerning proposals to improve access between Blackrock station and Blackrock Park, https://www.dlrcoco.ie/news/public-consultation/public-consulation-blackrock-dart-park-active-travel-scheme
We are supportive of the proposal. It will address a long standing point of conflict for commuters accessing Blackrock station. Commuters approaching from Mount Merrion Avenue and the Rock Road as well as school children accessing several schools use the existing lane way which is increasingly blocked due increased numbers of cyclists.
The plans close off the current laneway and leave this as a void space. DLRCOCO should engage with CIE/Irish Rail with a view to transferring this void space to CIE/Irish Rail ownership.
The planning approval sought should permit CIE/Irish Rail to extend the existing northbound platform into the former path area. We consider this to be in line with good planning and sustainable development and a logical action. We further note the platform at Blackrock at the North end is below minimum width standards set by the Commission for Railway Regulation. This means it is not possible to board or alight from the front 4 coaches of a train using the wheelchair ramp. This addition would deliver additional accessibility and safety benefits from the project.
This expands the scope of the project somewhat but remains compatible with the active travel core of the project and is likely to be a better option than an inaccessible void space likely to quickly fill with debris and stagnant water. Further engagement with CIE/Irish Rail and the NTA is recommended to ensure funding is sought and any engineering considerations with this proposal are considered in the final design.