Investment Delivers Transport Transormation

Iarnród Éireann is promising a decade of delivery for Cork’s commuter rail network. “To establish rail as the backbone of the city and region’s sustainable transport system is hugely exciting,” says Barry Kenny, corporate communications manager. “It will allow the city and region to develop as envisaged in Project Ireland 2040, and with public and active transport ensuring this development works for Cork, and its people, economy, society and environment.”

The National Development Plan supports the electrification of the Cork commuter network, and to a 10-minute all-day frequency. According to Kenny, investment in resignalling, a new through platform for Kent Station, and double-tracking the Midleton line will be completed by 2026, and will enable further phases, including electrification, to be delivered.

“There are a number of options for electrification: overhead line infrastructure, battery-electric operation with recharging points, and alternative fuels, and these will be the subject of design works, which along with funding will determine timescales,” says Kenny. “However, a high-frequency electrified rail system will transform Cork’s transport network in its capacity and its sustainability.”

The transport network envisaged under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) — heavy rail, light rail, bus and active travel — will see Kent Station established as an integrated mobility hub. Last year, a €90m investment was announced for the Cork-Dublin rail route. This is being delivered out to 2024, and will enable Iarnród Éireann to accelerate its programme of works to deliver line speed improvements.

“Not only will it deliver 8-10 minutes in journey time savings within this timescale, but it will also futureproof the line to accommodate 200kph speeds at a later stage,” Kenny explains. “This aligns with our ambition to deliver journey times of two hours or less between Cork and Dublin on what is our flagship Intercity route.”