Hansfield station - what is the point?

Boulevardier

I was doing a Royal Canal walk recently from Clonsilla to Maynooth, and could not but notice a large station building in the fields about 15 minutes' walk from Clonsilla Station. It was of course Hansfield.

What is the point of this station? Anyone in the area with any wit is going to use Clonsilla, which is served by over twice as many trains and is on the main line to Pearse.

Surely it would have made more sense to site a station next to the R149 where it could serve Ongar?

MrMorooka

Boulevardier wrote: »

I was doing a Royal Canal walk recently from Clonsilla to Maynooth, and could not but notice a large station building in the fields about 15 minutes' walk from Clonsilla Station. It was of course Hansfield.

What is the point of this station? Anyone in the area with any wit is going to use Clonsilla, which is served by over twice as many trains and is on the main line to Pearse.

Surely it would have made more sense to site a station next to the R149 where it could serve Ongar?

The whole area between Ongar and the station is going to get built up over the next decade or so, there is already construction going on there, and another new school opening up. So the station is actually a good example of proper infastructure in this country.

It already is used by people from Ongar, I have used it in the past. On a bicycle you could get people from at least Littlepace being only 10 minutes from it, and there are good quality roads/paths to it.

noelfirl

The area was/is designated as a strategic development zone during the boom.

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/planning-and-buildings/development-plans-and-consultations/studies-and-reports/hansfield-strategic-development-zone/

Development plans fell apart, including for the access road, which led to a delayed opening and it being sited amidst green fields.

thomasj

Its was one of the conditions for the granting of planning permission of the sdz for hansfield/ongar that the train station had to be built. The same with navan road parkway (known at the time as Phoenix park) and I think although not sure Adamstown might be same.

I read a nta doc recently that stated there were plans for the 39 and 39A to terminate at the station although anyone's guess if its being implemented

ongarboy

Boulevardier wrote: »

I was doing a Royal Canal walk recently from Clonsilla to Maynooth, and could not but notice a large station building in the fields about 15 minutes' walk from Clonsilla Station. It was of course Hansfield.

What is the point of this station? Anyone in the area with any wit is going to use Clonsilla, which is served by over twice as many trains and is on the main line to Pearse.

Surely it would have made more sense to site a station next to the R149 where it could serve Ongar?

Why would residents on foot from Ongar who are going to Docklands walk 20 minutes or more to Clonsilla when they can walk to Hansfield in under 15 minutes (or less than 10 if they live in Barnwell/Hansfield}? Secondly, there is free parking (...for now) at Hansfield which a lot of Clonee/Little Pace/Ongar residents avail of.

Around 40-50 commuters use Hansfield for my departure each morning and I'm sure similar amounts do so on earlier or later departures so it's not a pointless station.. Yes, it's under utilised right now as the area around it hasnt been developed due to the downturn but that is changing as house construction is taking place again on the road up to the station.

billie1b

I live in Ongar, my next door neighbour and myself use the train, we walk to Clonsilla, its actually quicker than the walk to Hansfield station. If they utilised the train properly and put it on the line to conolly it'd be used so much more.

liamog

billie1b wrote: »

I live in Ongar, my next door neighbour and myself use the train, we walk to Clonsilla, its actually quicker than the walk to Hansfield station. If they utilised the train properly and put it on the line to conolly it'd be used so much more.

If the walk to Clonsilla is quicker than the walk to Hansfield then you to figure out a more direct route. Even from the big roundabout going to Clonsilla its 1.2k vs 1.1k to Hansfield.

Running some off peaks through Connolly wouldn't be a bad idea, would give Clonsilla a half hourly service.

Polar101

liamog wrote: »

If the walk to Clonsilla is quicker than the walk to Hansfield then you to figure out a more direct route. Even from the big roundabout going to Clonsilla its 1.2k vs 1.1k to Hansfield.

Yeah, and that's why Hansfield is pointless for anyone not doing a morning commute - almost the same distance means people will just take the train from Clonsilla, since a) you don't have to go to Docklands or b) switch trains at Clonsilla. Sure, if you work near Docklands and don't live far from Hansfield, then it's not too bad.

I think Hansfield station is a prime example on how not to plan a train service. Has anyone seen more than 5 people use the M3 Parkway - Clonsilla service? I think 3 people got off at Clonsilla once, that was the highest number I've seen.

liamog

Polar101 wrote: »

Yeah, and that's why Hansfield is pointless for anyone not doing a morning commute - almost the same distance means people will just take the train from Clonsilla, since a) you don't have to go to Docklands or b) switch trains at Clonsilla. Sure, if you work near Docklands and don't live far from Hansfield, then it's not too bad.

I think Hansfield station is a prime example on how not to plan a train service. Has anyone seen more than 5 people use the M3 Parkway - Clonsilla service? I think 3 people got off at Clonsilla once, that was the highest number I've seen.

It's only the same distance when at the extreme edge of the area you'd class as Ongar and even then Hansfield is actually closer.

I've seen multiple people use the shuttle service at various times of the day. With the way the timetable is done, your much better off walking to Hansfield and using the shuttle if your heading in to town. If you're driving or cycling it's even better due to the free parking and somewhat safer bicycle parking.

ongarboy

I have to admit if I had to go to Connolly/Tara/Pearse, I'd probably do the 20 minute walk to Clonsilla rather than relying on the shuttle/feeder service from Hansfield and waiting for connecting train as that would take more than 20 minutes (and I get a bit more exercise that way!).

The optimum benefit for Hansfield users is for those (like myself) that work near the Docklands (IFSC, Silicon Docks/Grand Canal etc) and there is a fair albeit undersubscribed number of such commuters which will only increase as the housing developments around Hansfield Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) progress.

MGWR

billie1b wrote: »

I live in Ongar, my next door neighbour and myself use the train, we walk to Clonsilla, its actually quicker than the walk to Hansfield station. If they utilised the train properly and put it on the line to Connolly it'd be used so much more.

This seems to speak to a lack of utility for Docklands station too? even with the frequent Luas service going by?

LXFlyer

Docklands Station is very useful to many people - anyone working in the IFSC, or indeed the south docks area can use it rather than the busier trains to Connolly or across the loop line.

beauf

Polar101 wrote: »

Yeah, and that's why Hansfield is pointless for anyone not doing a morning commute - almost the same distance means people will just take the train from Clonsilla, since a) you don't have to go to Docklands or b) switch trains at Clonsilla. Sure, if you work near Docklands and don't live far from Hansfield, then it's not too bad.

I think Hansfield station is a prime example on how not to plan a train service. Has anyone seen more than 5 people use the M3 Parkway - Clonsilla service? I think 3 people got off at Clonsilla once, that was the highest number I've seen.

If you combine the train, docklands, or otherwise with cycling. Options, like Hansfield, docklands are a lot more useful.

L1011

MGWR wrote: »

This seems to speak to a lack of utility for Docklands station too? even with the frequent Luas service going by?

The core morning services to Docklands are full to uncomfortable. I'd also suggest if it has one of the highest % of fare paying passengers on the entire network

beauf

All the trains docklands and Connolly are dangerously overcrowded at peak. The docklands ones are very short too.

LXFlyer

beauf wrote: »

All the trains docklands and Connolly are dangerously overcrowded at peak. The docklands ones are very short too.

I would suggest that "uncomfortable" would be more appropriate than "dangerous".

These trains are designed for large standing loads.

thomasj

lxflyer wrote: »

I would suggest that "uncomfortable" would be more appropriate than "dangerous".

These trains are designed for large standing loads.

Depends on what trains they put on the line. Theyy have 22ks on the line sometimes and they're not designed for large loads.

beauf

In the event of an accident, the majority of people standing have nothing to hold on to unlike something like the tube in London. Especially bad on the intercity style trains. On those even a fast exit would be difficult.

So while standing nose to nose may be permitted in that it's unregulated. I see few features designed to facilitate such overcrowding. Having one bar for 20 people to try and reach isn't a solution to that.

The ventilation isn't adequate either.

Lasting31

Could someone tell me if there is parking at hansfield station from say 8.20 in the morning or does it tend to be always full? Also is it free Parking?
Or how about dunboyne , does it pack up too? I know there is plenty parking in m3 parkway.

Phil.x

Yes but it's further down the road from the station at that time.