Possible renaming of Phoenix Park station

Irish Rail are accepting recommendations and proposals from the public with regard to possibly renaming the Phoenix Park station.

http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=1187&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

I agree with this, the station isn't suitable for anyone wishing to visit the park.

TheChrisD

And to think we were just discussing this possibility recently :rolleyes:

Navan Road is probably the best descriptor for the station, since it is literally next to the road itself. Too far from the apartments to be named after them, also don't name it after the little industrial estate near, or after St. Brigid's GAA.

OurLadyofKnock

Watch now all the headbangers will be writing letters to the papers demanding it be named after everything from Obama to Gerry Ryan's Cocaine Dealer....:rolleyes:

L1011

OurLadyofKnock wrote: »

Watch now all the headbangers will be writing letters to the papers demanding it be named after everything from Obama to Gerry Ryan's Cocaine Dealer....:rolleyes:

Already pre-empted with the message about not naming after people.

OurLadyofKnock

OurLadyofKnock wrote: »

Watch now all the headbangers will be writing letters to the papers demanding it be named after everything from Obama to Gerry Ryan's Cocaine Dealer....:rolleyes:

I think they've covered that one. Probably won't stop people trying.

Please note our policy is to name stations by reference to the geographic area the station serves, and not after individuals or groups.

icdg

Navan Road seems the logical choice. When Irish Rail had to put up posters "For the Phoenix Park use Ashtown Station" you knew the writing was on the wall (quite literally) for the Phoenix Park name.

runway16

Perhaps "M50 Parkway" would be another option?

n97 mini

The could call it Ashtown and close the existing Ashtown Station.

Combined I'm not sure they even have the patronage to justify one station, never mind two.

DWCommuter

It's a post Celtic Tiger funny moment. Let's all sit back and enjoy it.:D

Cookie_Monster

Please note our policy is to name stations by reference to the geographic area the station serves, and not after individuals or groups.

what, they've used up all the 1916 names???

CIE

n97 mini wrote: »

The could call it Ashtown and close the existing Ashtown Station.

Combined I'm not sure they even have the patronage to justify one station, never mind two.

The present Ashtown station is actually in the centre of Ashtown; I think not. Furthermore, it seems to have gained enough importance to become the bus route 120's terminus. The Former Racecourse Station seems to have been a massive blunder.

n97 mini

CIE wrote: »

The present Ashtown station is actually in the centre of Ashtown; I think not. Furthermore, it seems to have gained enough importance to become the bus route 120's terminus. The Former Racecourse Station seems to have been a massive blunder.

Which station has higher patronage? (Anecdotally I would say Phoenix Park).

We clearly don't need two hardly-used stations, regardless of where they are.

Surveyor11

Ashtown is by far the most used, it's close to the village and the apartments are within walking distance as well at then Phoenix Park itself. Would say that the majority of people using Phoenix Park (relatively few) are driving and parking there. The apartments at the Phoenix Park, for their size and density, seem to attract relatively few travellers. It's only a short walk away.

Rawr

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

what, they've used up all the 1916 names???

I think maybe they have (not too sure about that)

I would agree that Navan Road would be a far more logical name.

Naming the station 'Pheonix Park' seemed unwise to begin with, considering that Ashtown is much closer to it. I can only imagine the confusion it may have caused some tourists.

LXFlyer

n97 mini wrote: »

The could call it Ashtown and close the existing Ashtown Station.

Combined I'm not sure they even have the patronage to justify one station, never mind two.

Ashtown is a reasonably busy station - it is no more than a 3 minute walk from the apartments north of the canal.

Phoenix Park is purely a park and ride facility.

Personally I think they should become:

Ashtown for Phoenix Park
Navan Road Parkway

mrsdewinter

n97 mini wrote: »

The could call it Ashtown and close the existing Ashtown Station.

Combined I'm not sure they even have the patronage to justify one station, never mind two.

Noooo! Ashtown is an extremely popular station, with a vibrant village on its doorstep.

It's not an either-or situation.

No1J

"Navan Road" or "The Racecourse" would make more sense, either way it's not used much.
I often shop in Superquinn Ashtown and would see people get off at Ashtown station go in do their shopping and I would later see them walking up the Navan road into the racecourse.
On days when there are events in the PP Bloom etc, there is a constant stream of people in and out of Ashtown, no one uses "Phionix park" station.
Would it be a loss if it was closed down?

Losty Dublin

Ashtown is supposed to be closed in the future, a new station located close to the Ratoath Road will replace it with the Park alos taking on some of the slack. Thing is, it's been mooted for years now and it's dependent on the council building a bridge over the line at Reilly's crossing, which isn't anytime soon.

LXFlyer

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Ashtown is supposed to be closed in the future, a new station located close to the Ratoath Road will replace it with the Park alos taking on some of the slack. Thing is, it's been mooted for years now and it's dependent on the council building a bridge over the line at Reilly's crossing, which isn't anytime soon.

There is no logic to that whatsoever Losty and frankly I doubt it will happen. Do you seriously expect people to walk to/from Phoenix Park Station? It's in the middle of nowhere. By closing Ashtown you would discommoding the passengers that live at the western end of the apartments and users from Kempton estate.

Looking at the osi map that really has got be one of the daftest suggestions I have ever heard.

By all means built Pelletstown but I don't see any logic whatsoever in closing Ashtown.

Phoenix Park Station needs to marketed as a P & R station - that is it's only useful role going forward.

No1J

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Ashtown is supposed to be closed in the future, a new station located close to the Ratoath Road will replace it with the Park alos taking on some of the slack. Thing is, it's been mooted for years now and it's dependent on the council building a bridge over the line at Reilly's crossing, which isn't anytime soon.

Where did you hear that? I think that would be a mistake, Ashtown is a nice station, Shops, Bars, Restaurants as soon as you get off.
Ratoath road to replace Broombridge, same thing just less things thrown at the trains and maybe room for a few shops.
The plans for the bridge are still being processed in DCC but are being watched closely by local residents as a new level crossing is favored instead.
Years ago there was talk of a bridge that would go straight across into Ashington leading onto the Navan road but is a non runner now.

noelfirl

AIUI it wasn't Ashtown that was to close, it was Broombridge, to be replaced with 2 stations, one closer to (and to be called) Liffey Junction interchanging with Luas, and the other between the existing Broombridge and Ashtown stations close to Ratoath Road. Which was to occur during the electrification of the Maynooth line for DART, and which therefore is all moot now for the time being. With regards to "Phoenix Park" station, I think just call it Navan Road P&R/Parkway.

Losty Dublin

lxflyer wrote: »

There is no logic to that whatsoever Losty and frankly I doubt it will happen. Do you seriously expect people to walk to/from Phoenix Park Station? It's in the middle of nowhere. By closing Ashtown you would discommoding the passengers that live at the western end of the apartments and users from Kempton estate.

Looking at the osi map that really has got be one of the daftest suggestions I have ever heard.

By all means built Pelletstown but I don't see any logic whatsoever in closing Ashtown.

Phoenix Park Station needs to marketed as a P & R station - that is it's only useful role going forward.

I doubt if it will happen either and I agree with you that closing Ashtown isn't wise there there is some logic to a new station closer to the city. A station at the Ratoath Road end would open up a lot of Cabra and Ashington estate to the rail network and to a lesser extent, parts of Finglas. At the same time, there was intent of Rathborne growing towards the Park stationand for Ashtown crossing to be replaced with a bridge. I believe I saw mention of same in an IRRS journal though where and when I am not sure.

As an aside, I have only seen just now that the planning permission for the Ratoath Road bridge has finally been granted.

http://www.pleanala.ie/documents/rep...A0/RHA0032.pdf

Zebra3

Navan Road would seem to be the most logical.

So, who knows what they'll go for.

mackerski

"Navan Road" would be a very bad name for the station for a number of reasons:

• It's a very long road
• It's already in popular use to describe the locality between Ashtown and Cabra
• The entire railway line runs close to the Navan Road...
• ...something that will get even worse if (not that they will) they extend the line to Navan.

TheChrisD

mackerski wrote: »

"Navan Road" would be a very bad name for the station for a number of reasons:

So, call it "Dual Carriageway" then?

thomasj

What about auburn avenue?

The new pedestrian crossing makes the station within easy reach of auburn avenue, and it's t the nearest housing community!

By naming the station auburn avenue and highlighting it, it might getsome attention from the locals and start using it!

Cathaoirleach

Please note our policy is to name stations by reference to the geographic area the station serves, and not after individuals or groups.

Just use the original placename Fionnuisce, refering to the several streams and tributaries of the Liffey.

Victor

Cathaoirleach wrote: »

Just use the original placename Fionnuisce, refering to the several streams and tributaries of the Liffey.

But its next to the Tolka!

L1011

Could do a Dublin Bus and call it Bradys Navan Road.... along with the tens to hundreds of stage names called after pubs I've a local one where the stage is named after a supermarket that changed name in 1988.

BostonB

Just close it. No one uses it.

Hilly Bill

not true, plenty of people use it.

St Bridget's.

Losty Dublin

thomasj wrote: »

What about auburn avenue?

The new pedestrian crossing makes the station within easy reach of auburn avenue, and it's t the nearest housing community!

By naming the station auburn avenue and highlighting it, it might getsome attention from the locals and start using it!

Isn't there an Auburn Avenue close to Coolmine or Castleknock, Thomas?

BostonB

Hilly Bill wrote: »

not true, plenty of people use it....

Apparently people getting off at the wrong station.

BostonB

thomasj wrote: »

What about auburn avenue?

The new pedestrian crossing makes the station within easy reach of auburn avenue, and it's t the nearest housing community!

By naming the station auburn avenue and highlighting it, it might getsome attention from the locals and start using it!

Well I'd assume the Phoenix Park race course is the nearest.

But its within easy distance of Auburn Avenue. So that not a bad idea. But of course it raises the issue that perhaps it should be the Castleknock Station, and the one at Roselawn should be Blanchardstown.

CIE

Hilly Bill wrote: »

not true, plenty of people use it.

St Bridget's.

How many people use it?

It's not easily walkable. It's only a kilometre from Ashtown station. It slows down the average speed of local trains (this would apply even if the line was DART). Why was it even built?

thomasj

BostonB wrote: »

Well I'd assume the Phoenix Park race course is the nearest.

But its within easy distance of Auburn Avenue. So that not a bad idea. But of course it raises the issue that perhaps it should be the Castleknock Station, and the one at Roselawn should be Blanchardstown.

Good point! I was thinking maybe follow the leixlip mode (ie leixlip confey, leixlip louisa bridge) maybe just rename castleknock - castleknock blanchardstown and phoenix park - castleknock auburn?

No1J

thomasj wrote: »

What about auburn avenue?

The new pedestrian crossing makes the station within easy reach of auburn avenue, and it's t the nearest housing community!

By naming the station auburn avenue and highlighting it, it might getsome attention from the locals and start using it!

It's over a mile to the start of Auburn Ave and the Ave is nearly a mile long it's self. So to the Village side of the ave the Castleknock (Laurel Lodge) station is closer.
The nearest housing community is the race course, Martin Savage, the Paddocks.
Not going to start the old Castleknock/Blanchardstown thing but Castleknock station is at Laurel lodge in Castleknock not Roeslawn in Blanchardstown, and I know that only a couple 100 yards separates the two.

thomasj

No1J wrote: »

It's over a mile to the start of Auburn Ave and the Ave is nearly a mile long it's self. So to the Village side of the ave the Castleknock (Laurel Lodge) station is closer.
The nearest housing community is the race course, Martin Savage, the Paddocks.
Not going to start the old Castleknock/Blanchardstown thing but Castleknock station is at Laurel lodge in Castleknock not Roeslawn in Blanchardstown, and I know that only a couple 100 yards separates the two.

but if you are at the end of auburn avenue you are walking a mile to get to the top of the road then walking a few extra minutes to get upto castleknock walking to phoenix park woukd just be as quick

Hilly Bill

BostonB wrote: »

Apparently people getting off at the wrong station.

Not so. Its busy enough in the mornings and plenty of cars in the car park.

Hilly Bill

CIE wrote: »

How many people use it?

It's not easily walkable. It's only a kilometre from Ashtown station. It slows down the average speed of local trains (this would apply even if the line was DART). Why was it even built?

It was built by the developer of the Apartments across the road . The development was ment to go as far as the GAA pitch so the staion would have been in the middle of it. Its easily reached by foot or by car from the local area and it looks busy enough and there is nothing wrong with it. Its easier for those in castleknock who cant park at castleknock station.

Hilly Bill

BostonB wrote: »

Well I'd assume the Phoenix Park race course is the nearest.

But its within easy distance of Auburn Avenue. So that not a bad idea. But of course it raises the issue that perhaps it should be the Castleknock Station, and the one at Roselawn should be Blanchardstown.

It is Blanchardstown the official name is Blanchardstown/Castleknock.

BostonB

No1J wrote: »

....
Not going to start the old Castleknock/Blanchardstown thing but Castleknock station is at Laurel lodge in Castleknock not Roeslawn in Blanchardstown, and I know that only a couple 100 yards separates the two.

That would fine it they called the station Laurel Lodge.

Blanchardstown is not mentioned on the announcements or the time tables or the maps. For a stranger wanting to get to Blanchardstown, or Castleknock the current naming is very unhelpful. But the station is closer Blanchardstown Village than Castleknock Village, it would useful to reflect that in the name.

The current Castleknock station is as near if not nearer Auburn Avenue than the Phoenix Park station is. The latter simply isn't near anything.

BostonB

Hilly Bill wrote: »

..and it looks busy enough and there is nothing wrong with it.

I think the most I ever saw get on at Phoenix park is 5. usually its 1 or none. Compared to Castleknock or Coolmine where you'd see numbers more like 50~100 almost everytime.

I'm not seeing that as busy.

Hilly Bill wrote: »

...Its easier for those in castleknock who cant park at castleknock station.

Driving from Castleknock to the station. :eek:

No1J

thomasj wrote: »

but if you are at the end of auburn avenue you are walking a mile to get to the top of the road then walking a few extra minutes to get upto castleknock walking to phoenix park woukd just be as quick

Thomasj
When the developers planned the racecourse they had such high hopes that they were going to create a new "well off" apartment (Village) area for the young and trendy.
Remember this was where the Casino and the highest hotel in Ireland was going to be built and money would surely follow.
Only about 1/3 of the land has been developed.
A two bed lux off the plans was 628'000 instead of 660'000 when built, now God knows maybe 220'000.
The station should never been built, Ashtown was already there and about the same distance.

No1J

BostonB wrote: »

That would fine it they called the station Laurel Lodge.

Blanchardstown is not mentioned on the announcements or the time tables or the maps. For a stranger wanting to get to Blanchardstown, or Castleknock the current naming is very unhelpful. But the station is closer Blanchardstown Village than Castleknock Village, it would useful to reflect that in the name.

The current Castleknock station is as near if not nearer Auburn Avenue than the Phoenix Park station is. The latter simply isn't near anything.

Blanchardstown and Dundrum are the 2 biggest shopping areas in the country, Dundrum has the LUAS in it's back garden, but who would get off at Castleknock or Coolmine to go for a shop in the BSC.
The northsiders/northwestsiders are getting a bum deaL. An area this big with no proper transport structure.

L1011

No1J wrote: »

Blanchardstown and Dundrum are the 2 biggest shopping areas in the country, Dundrum has the LUAS in it's back garden, but who would get off at Castleknock or Coolmine to go for a shop in the BSC.
The northsiders/northwestsiders are getting a bum deaL. An area this big with no proper transport structure.

When I was in secondary school it was common enough to get the train in to Coolmine and walk up through the park / back of the Civic Offices if going to the cinema/bowling/shopping centre.

Zebra3

MYOB wrote: »

When I was in secondary school it was common enough to get the train in to Coolmine and walk up through the park / back of the Civic Offices if going to the cinema/bowling/shopping centre.

There's plenty of distances I'd have walked as a kid that I wouldn't do now.

I certainly wouldn't get off the train to walk to Blanch centre when I can stay on the train and arrive in the heart of the city centre.

L1011

Zebra3 wrote: »

There's plenty of distances I'd have walked as a kid that I wouldn't do now.

I certainly wouldn't get off the train to walk to Blanch centre when I can stay on the train and arrive in the heart of the city centre.

Doubt many adults go to any out-of-town shopping centre sans car, even those with transport links (Dundrum, Square).

BostonB

No1J wrote: »

Blanchardstown and Dundrum are the 2 biggest shopping areas in the country, Dundrum has the LUAS in it's back garden, but who would get off at Castleknock or Coolmine to go for a shop in the BSC.
The northsiders/northwestsiders are getting a bum deaL. An area this big with no proper transport structure.

Why are you talking about shopping centers?

I wondering are you assuming when someone mentions, Blanchardstown they are talking about the shopping center. Because I'm not. I'm solely talking about Blanchardstown Village. Thats the nearest thing to the Castleknock Station. Other than the canal of course.

Blanchardstown SC isn't actually in Blanchardstown, its in Coolmine. If you look at the road markings on the N3 one is signposted Blanchardstown, the other Blanchardstown SC.

BostonB

Zebra3 wrote: »

There's plenty of distances I'd have walked as a kid that I wouldn't do now.

I certainly wouldn't get off the train to walk to Blanch centre when I can stay on the train and arrive in the heart of the city centre.

TBH I think we're all guilty of being too fond of the car.

ArmaniJeanss

MYOB wrote: »

Doubt many adults go to any out-of-town shopping centre sans car, even those with transport links (Dundrum, Square).

You'd be surprised how many people go to Dundrum on the Luas to do shopping for carryable high-margin items (clothes etc).

Thinking about it I'm surprised Blanchardstown Shopping Centre have never tried running a complimentary feeder bus from the most accessible train station to the shopping centre.
Time it to coincide with the Saturday and Sunday afternoon trains heading from Maynooth to Dublin, advertise it in Leixlip Confey/Louisa and Maynooth stations (maybe even Kilcock and Enfield also) and see how it goes.
A 2 month trial would cost about €15K max I reckon (say €1000 a weekend for the bus, and another €7K on posters and leaflets at the stations).