Single story skyscraper for Coolmine?
by P. Lanner

How many storeys does it take to make a multi-storey car park? That might well be the question surrounding Iarnród Éireann’s deliberations on the thorny subject of a “multi-story” car park for Coolmine station.

Local residents have been raising concerns about the rail company’s previous statements on the matter and recently local Green Party representative Roderic O’Gorman had discussions with Corporate Communications Manager, Barry Kenny about the issue.

According to Mr. Kenny, while Iarnród Éireann wishes to develop a multi-storey car park at Coolmine, they are aware of the existing traffic congestion problems and in the light of these problems do not intend to proceed with plans for a multi-storey car park at this time.

However discussions are taking place with Fingal County Council to seek a means of relieving traffic congestion at the Coolmine level crossing. One option being considered is an overpass which would eliminate the level crossing. If this can be achieved then the “multi-storey” car park is back on the table.

At this point matters start becoming extremely confused. According to Roderic O’Gorman, Iarnród Éireann have assured him that “should they develop a multi-storey car park at the site in the future, they would propose to only build it one storey high.

So, what does one-storey mean? A roof over the existing car park. Will cars also be allowed park on the roof? Would that make it a two storey car park?

The Local Government (Multi-Storey Buildings) Act, 1988 defines a “multi-storey building" as “a building comprising or including five or more storeys, a basement being regarded as a storey.”

So how can a one story building be multi-storey?

It’s all very confusing. But not it would seem for Mr. O’Gorman.

In his press release, he says “Hopefully these points offer some certainty as regards Iarnród Éireann’s plans for Coolmine. While it’s good to have clarification of the situation, I don’t think it was fair that residents were left in the dark for so long and had to listen to rumour and speculation. If Iarnród Éireann do intend to go ahead with either a multi-storey car park or an overpass at Coolmine, it is essential that local residents are consulted from the very start of the process.”

If Iarnród Éireann intend to build an overpass, perhaps residents might be well advised to look for a definition of what is proposed. If multi storey means single storey, Heaven alone knows what an overpass might be.

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