Get a look at the Draft Transport Plan for Cork
THE draft Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040 has been launched, proposing a number of enhanced public transport services to be created over the next two decades.
These include a €1bn light-rail system between Ballincollig and Mahon Point via the city centre, eight new railway stations and 100km of bus lanes.
The €3.5bn plan was developed by the National Transport Authority in conjunction with Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
The light-rail system, with 25 stops, would be expected to carry 46m passengers a year, with journey times of 27 minutes from Ballincollig to the city centre.
The plan will also see €1.4bn spent on road projects to help accommodate Cork’s projected population increase of 50-60 per cent by 2040.
Construction of the light-rail system is not likely to start until 2031 – interesting to note that it was 100 years prior in 1931 that the then-existing tramways in Cork were closed.
To inform those with an interest in the strategy, and for those who view heritage and other factors as key considerations in the undertaking of the project, there will be a number of public information events held during June. These will include events at the Oriel House in Ballincollig next Wednesday, June 5; at the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thursday, June 13; and Blarney Castle Hotel on Wednesday, June 19. All will run from 3pm to 8pm.
People are encouraged to come along to the events to find out more and to see the executive summary of the strategy visit www.corkcoco.ie.