Lord Mayor: Rail upgrades could have been 'more ambitious' for Cork region

While there are improvements and upgrades which will have a positive impact on rail services in Cork and throughout the south, the city’s Lord Mayor, Dan Boyle, has said that the All Island Strategic Rail Review published yesterday could have been more ambitious in its proposals for the region.

An upgraded rail route connecting Cork with Limerick and Galway, half hourly intercity services, the halving of the time it takes to travel by train from Cork to Dublin and the electrification of a significant segment of the rail network were among the highlights of the finalised report which comes with a €32 billion price tag and a 2050 delivery deadline.

Also included in the report, which sets out 32 strategic recommendations in the Republic and Northern Ireland up to 2050, is a proposal for a rail link to Cork port and a direct service between Cork and Dublin airport while a rail link between Cork and Waterford was considered but ruled out due to geographical factors. 

What is being considered however is the installation of a curve at Limerick Junction which would enable trains to leave the Cork-Dublin line and ahe Limerick-Waterford line and this would boost connectivity between Cork and Waterford.

The report proposes the upgrade of what is described as the core intercity railway network to line speeds of up to 200 km per hour, upgrading the line between Dublin and Cork to a dual track and four tracks in places and increasing the frequency of services.

Mr Boyle, said that many Cork proposals were already ‘baked in’ with relation to suburban rail – this includes the opening of new stations between Cork and Mallow – and suggested that changes for Cork would be about increased services more so than new infrastructure.

“I would like to see the restoration of the direct Cork-Limerick line through Charleville and Patrickswell but that’s not part of this document,” he said.

 “I’d be optimistic that what is being proposed is being proposed on the basis that it can and will be done, personally I would like to see it going further.” 

The Lord Mayor also suggested that stations beyond Mallow such as Buttevant should be re-opened and that the line between Midleton and Youghal should also be considered for re-opening.

“I wouldn’t say there’s an element of disappointment, but we can be more ambitious in view of the potential that’s there.” 

He said that consideration should have been given to re-opening the tunnel under Phoenix Park in Dublin, a link that was last used for the 1990 All Ireland Final, to allow rail engers from Cork travel directly to Croke Park and onward to Belfast without having to transfer by bus or LUAS from Heuston to Connolly.

While railway connections between Dublin, Limerick and Belfast city centres with the airports in Dublin, Shannon and Belfast are included, the plan does include the hint that the proposed tram-line between Mahon and Ballincollig, one of the measures to be implemented under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Plan, could be extended south to Cork Airport and Carrigaline.

'MORE CONCRETE PLANS' NEEDED FOR LIGHT RAIL

The Labour Party in Cork issued a statement calling for the design of ‘more concrete plans to show how a light rail spur to Cork airport’ could be achieved. “It is critical that Cork Airport is afforded the same connectivity enhancements like Shannon and Dublin,” said Laura Harmon, the councillor recently selected to run for the party in Cork South Central in the General Election. 

“Cork's transport hubs must be linked in the same plans for Dublin when it comes to rail and transport connectivity and planning.” 

A spokesman for Cork Airport said they would ‘welcome any and all improvements to our public transport connections’. “At present, we are working very closely with the National Transport Authority, Transport for Ireland, Bus Éireann and other private operators to enhance the public transport connectivity between the airport, Cork city, other large metropolitan areas in Cork and across the South of Ireland.” 

IMPORTANT DAY

The publication of the report was described as an "important day for the island of Ireland" by Transport Minister and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan. “This is not just the first All-Island Strategic Rail Review, it is the most ambitious vision for rail in a century, bringing us forward to a new age of rail,” said the Minister. This vision has been made possible by close cooperation between the Departments and agencies north and south.

"Rail not only allows us to carry more people and freight in a more sustainable way, it is the great connector, enabling greater regional accessibility and balanced regional development.” 

The Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, said the Report provided ‘an evidence based framework to help guide future investment in our rail network’ and said it would help meet Ireland’s climate commitments. 

“Getting infrastructure right, and investing in it accordingly, can create the foundations for better rural and urban communities,” he said.