Cork 2023: Building the transport links for the Cork city of the future
As the city continues to expand, much work has been put into ensuring different aspects of transport meet the future population
The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme is part of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 and is the largest-ever investment in Cork’s rail network.
It’s designed to increase train capacity and frequencies, providing more connected communities from Mallow through Cork to Cobh and Midleton. It will include the delivery of new rail infrastructure, electrification, and re-signalling across the three main lines of Mallow, Cobh and Glounthaune to Midleton.
Currently, work is underway in Kent Station, namely the addition of a new platform and the extension of Platform 5 to meet increased passenger numbers. This will facilitate running services from Mallow to Cobh/Midleton, allowing for greater capacity and frequency across the Cork Area Commuter Rail network.
In active travel, which consists of movement that requires physical activity such as walking and cycling, the first phase of the Cork City to Passage West Greenway was officially opened by An Táiniste Micheál Martin in April.
The 3km greenway, which includes recreational and commuter corridors for pedestrians and cyclists, is part of the plan to redevelop the Cork docklands, one of the largest regeneration sites in the country.
Plans to get BusConnects Cork underway are still ongoing, with the second round of consultation having closed recently on May 25. The €600 million programme revised proposal provides 12 sustainable transport corridors across the city, covering areas like Ballincollig, Bishopstown, Mahon, Dunkettle, and Mayfield.
All submissions in this round will be reviewed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) where technical, environmental, and transport impact assessment work will then take place, with final plans due to be presented to An Bord Pleanála for statutory approval.
