Additional car parking at Athlone train station still a long way off
The provision of additional car parking spaces at Athlone's bus and train station looks set to still be a long way off, after the National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed this week that the delivery of any additional parking will be subject to “the availability of resources and funding.”
The confirmation was given to Westmeath Fianna Fail Deputy Robert Troy, in response to a parliamentary question he tabled seeking engagement with Irish Rail/Bus Éireann on how additional car parking spaces could be provided at Athlone station to “incentivise people to use public transport.”
The response confirmed that Irish Rail undertook an assessment of existing car parking facilities at 144 stations on the Iarnrod Éireann network in 2020, which resulted in the publication of a rail-based car parking implementation strategy.
The report assessed the existing parking demand, as well as projected future demand based on land use policy and projected growth on the rail network, and it also examined the feasibility of providing increased parking at various locations.
“With respect to Athlone Train Station, the report recommended that an additional 20 surface car park spaces could be provided and furthermore, categorised this intervention as a medium term priority,” said the PQ response to Deputy Troy. It added that the Park and Ride Development Office – which was established in 2020 to enable the delivery of strategic Park and Ride facilities in Dublin and a number of regional locations - is assisting Irish Rail on the delivery of eight “near term priority locations.” When this work is completed “and subject to the availability of resources and funding” the NTA will “assist Irish Rail to deliver medium-term priorities” one of which is Athlone rail and bus station. However, the response does not give any timeframe for the delivery of the additional car parking spaces at Athlone rail and bus station.
The need for more car parking in Athlone station was raised at the May meeting of the local municipal district, with members agreeing to send a letter to Irish Rail and Bus Éireann requesting action on the issue.
Cllr Dolan raised the issue and told the meeting it appeared that CIE's bus parking facility, across the road from the station, was not at full capacity and he suggested it would be “a perfect location” for additional parking spaces for members of the public who wished to avail of public transport.
"It doesn't make sense to me that we're encouraging more people to use public transport but we're not providing them with any more parking. We don't all live in Athlone and can't all walk to the train or bus" said Cllr Dolan.