So Big Phil finally published his ‘opus magnus’ yesterday with all the detail on local government reforms including abolition of town councils, levelling of councillor ratios across the country and creation of much bigger wards in Dublin and the commuter belt.
Still trying to digest it all (it’s a big document!) but my first impressions are as follows:
The announcement today by Kerry Group of a new €100 million technology and innovation centre in Millenium Park, Naas is brilliant news for the town and will give it a huge boost.
The plan is to develop a huge technology centre at the Millennium Park which will provide up to 1,300 jobs in the locality. There is a great skill base on offer in the area with a large number of specialist skilled workers currently based locally. Some of these will be currently commuting to work in Dublin and will now welcome the chance to relocate closer to home on top, of course, of all the brand new jobs created.
James Lawless, Fianna Fáil Naas Area Representative and Spokesperson with Naas and Sallins Rail User Group has asked Irish Rail to look at security for bikes parked at station and is still lobbying for a second rain shelter at the stop.
“Irish Rail have rolled out a pilot programme on some DART stations to facilitate secure cycle parking in a kind of special ‘bike locker’” explained James. “There is a cost to the user and it is operated by a third party but I have asked Irish Rail if they would consider equipping Sallins station with such functionality as part of the upgrade works ongoing at the station”.
James explained that there have been issues with security at station and some bike thefts and he has also asked Irish Rail to improve security with other straightforward measures such as stepping up the CCTV presence at station and on bike racks.
“I’m still pressing for that badly needed second rain shelter as well” said James “After many discussions over the monsoon Summer Irish Rail management did assure me a second shelter would be provided but we’ve yet to see it” said James.
“I’ll be keeping the pressure up on all these items, especially as public transport prices increase again, we at least need to get value for our money” concluded Mr. Lawless
In the wake of the emergency subvention of €36 million announced for CIE, Fianna Fáil’s local area representative for Naas, James Lawless, has criticised Irish Rail management and said they need to innovate to succeed in today’s climate.
Ireland's Railways need strategic thinking fast
“I’ve always been a fan of public transport” explained James, who is also a spokesperson for the Naas and Sallins Rail User Group. “I use the train to Dublin almost every working day and when it’s done right there is no better way to travel” according to James.
“But you sometimes wonder what commercial acumen, if any, do Irish Rail apply to their operation or whether they employ any strategic considerations. We’ve been told their revenue is under pressure because the numbers are dropping and that rings true. But they must realise the prices they are charging are causing that drop-off as well. It’s not so bad on a commuter ticket but they are simply not competitive for day trippers or casual users. Compared with the bus or even taking the car, their fares are far steeper” claimed James.
“Their pricing structures are still rooted on the old tram lines from the beginning of the last century” explained James. “That’s apparently why it costs a couple of euro to travel from Hazelhatch or Maynooth but an extra tenner to travel one stop further onto Sallins. It’s not justifiable today. Also most businesses including hotels and airlines discount seats approaching departure as better a full house on half fare than an empty one at the same cost. The train is going anyway, surely half a loaf would be better than no bread” claimed James.
“Another example is the service quality on certain routes. The Wexford ‘commuter’ line takes two hours by train on a distance no longer than Portlaoise or Drogheda which take an hour. This is on a now primary commuter corridor and also what is a popular Summer base from which so many travel to the capital daily”.
“The ongoing fiasco regarding shelters at Sallins station also makes you wonder. It’s literally hard to see where the shelters will actually fit when they are hopefully installed. They will have to dismantle newly erected structures to make room. It beggars belief that they could spend all that money and end up with almost a worse station than they started with” concluded James.
A commuter at Sallins station yesterday
Sallins and Naas railway station has been undergoing maintenance and upgrade works for the past several months and installation of a new footbridge and ramp has almost completed.
Whilst welcoming the upgrade, spokesperson for NASRUG (Naas and Sallins Rail Users Group) James Lawless said it was important the station retain the same level of facilities after the upgrade as beforehand or it risked defeating the purpose. “Well obviously the disability access is most welcome and was very important and we lobbied for that for some years before we got it” said James. “But as part of the process they removed the shelters which means people were literally kept waiting in the rain, hail and snow all through the winter months”.
“People could put up with that over a limited period but we are still wondering when and what kind of shelters will be installed at the finish” said James. “With the weather not exactly being Summery this is still a live issue and I am concerned that the new replacement shelters when they eventually arrive will be smaller and fewer than what we had before. Considering the new Adamstown station which still has low passenger volumes has almost a dozen shelters installed, with the much greater numbers at Sallins we need at least the previous capacity of platform shelters restored at Sallins” explained James. “I have raised this with Irish Rail management and I am hopeful they will now ensure these form part of the finished upgrade over the next few weeks. Anything less than the two Dublin bound shelters that previously existed would be a step backwards”.
James also criticised the council planning process – “It’s not clear from the planning permissions that much attention was given to use and role of Shelters in the upgraded station” said James. “The council did stipulate what colour of paint was allowed on the railings but do not appear to have mandated that at least the same level of shelter as before should be provided. Commuting can be trying at the best of times but at 7.30am standing in the lashing rain with not a shelter in sight is no fun at all. It’s a basic requirement and I hope now Irish Rail and Kildare County Council will ensure it is delivered” James concluded.