Cork Chamber has high hopes for public transport improvements within the city

Cork is on the brink of transformative public transport improvements, with ambitious plans to significantly enhance public transport and reduce carbon emissions. Conor Healy, chief executive of Cork Chamber, emphasises the importance of these initiatives in achieving the city’s carbon neutrality goals.

“Cork is one of 112 ‘Mission Cities’ along with Dublin. These EU cities are signed up to be carbon neutral by 2030. You see that it’s driven very much by transport, which has a major impact on carbon neutrality and buildings, whether public or private residential buildings,” he said.

“The Cork Metropolitan Transport Strategy (CMATS) is effectively the blueprint for transport development in Cork over the next 20 years. It covers all aspects from active travel like walking and cycling, BusConnects, suburban rail and light rail. We’re very supportive of that plan, other than the time frames around it. We see a lot of potential to bring forward the time frames, and we’re making very good progress. Recently, we had a significant announcement from Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan on our suburban rail services and plans to develop several new railway stations, on routes from Mallow, through the city to Kent station, and out to Midleton/Cobh. What really is evolving is the equivalent of a Dart-like system, which will eventually be an electrified rail service.

“Similarly with BusConnects, there have been three rounds of consultation and we’re at the point where the project needs to move to the next phase - securing planning permission. There are 11 bus corridors to be developed and while clearly not everybody would be happy with all those routes, there has been considerable amendment of the plans since the original drafts. We’re at the point where BusConnects needs to move to the next phase of delivery.”

Healy said the Chamber’s view is one of getting these projects delivered sooner rather than later, so there is a greater incentive to encourage a move from private cars to public transport.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen quite a lot of investment in the existing bus and rail services. There is a huge appetite from businesses and the wider community to avail of those services - all of those are at maximum capacity. The other area we’ve seen a lot of movement in is the active travel space. There’s been a lot of investment in developing greenways and improving facilities for pedestrians.

“One area we’ve had a particular focus on is the light rail system for Cork, the equivalent of a Luas for Cork. Plans are for it to be delivered over a 20-year period. Our view is that with the right support, it can be delivered over a ten-year period. It’s a major priority for us to support the growth that Cork has seen, and to facilitate a different means of movement in Cork.

“Our intercity services have also seen a lot of investment across Cork/Dublin intercity routes. It’s the most successful route on the Irish Rail network and now with an hourly service. We’re looking to see continued investment between the government and Irish Rail with the aim of reducing journey times further to a 90-minute rail service.”

While progress is being made in public and active transport, Healy said efforts to speed up completion dates would have significant benefits for Cork and surrounding counties. This urgency extends to strategic road projects, such as the M20, M28 to Ringaskiddy/Port of Cork, the Northern Distributor road and the N25 eastern corridor.

There are plans to develop several new railway stations, from Mallow, through the city and out to Midleton/Cobh

“The completion of the upgrades to the Dunkettle Interchange was a huge milestone at the start of 2024.

“The M28 is another crucial route upgrade for Cork. We are keen for works to start in early 2025 and be completed in 2026. This route is essential for the Port of Cork to move its operations to the lower harbour. This will also free up city centre sites for housing and help Cork realise the rejuvenation of the Docklands.

“The progress on the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway is very important but hasn’t the level of momentum we would like to see. It’s important that this route develops in a way that facilitates bus services in terms of public routes and investment in active transport modes for each of the towns bypassed.

“The Northern Distributor Road is crucial for access to planned development lands on the northside, to provide walking and cycling linkages, and for the strategic removal of traffic from Cork City Centre.

“Another important route is the N25 from the city out to Carrigtwohill and Midleton, which is seeing very significant population growth. Most new residential zoning for the city region is happening along that corridor. It’s also a major employment zone with IDA parks. The N25 route needs significant upgrading and currently that project is not identified by the government for funding and this needs to be addressed.

“Cork is in a fantastic position and continues to attract investment, talent and tourism. We must ensure the right environment for business growth. Delivering smart, decarbonised modern transport systems is a key enabler to realising that sustainable growth.”