Iarnród Éireann announces largest ever investment in Cork Rail Network 

Significant works are set to get underway as part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme this January and February.

The programme which will see increased train capacity and frequency, providing for more connected communities and a more sustainable transport network, represents the largest ever investment in the Cork Rail Network.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme will deliver the vision set out by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).

Under CMATS the rail network will be developed to include train frequency and capacity to build to 16 million passenger journeys per annum, supporting modal shift from the private car and providing a high frequency north-east connection through the city.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is being progressed through a number of separate but interrelated projects which will be delivered in specific work packages.

The construction of a new through platform at Kent Station to facilitate through running services from Mallow to Cobh/Midleton is planned to be completed by the end of this year.

Secondly, signalling and communications upgrades will facilitate the proposed capacity and service frequency increases, with this project due to be completed by end of 2026.

Upgrading of the Glounthaune to Midleton line to a twin track configuration is the third project, and tender for the construction works will be issued early this year, with the project planned for completion by year end 2026.

The remainder of the programme will see plans for eight new stations, new fleet depots and electrification as well as upgrades at existing stations and associated Per-Way Civil and Structural Works.

A tender process is ongoing for a multi-disciplinary consultant to complete the detailed design and statutory approval for these projects, and it is anticipated the contract will be awarded by April.

The first three network capacity enabling projects are largely funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

The construction of a through-platform at Kent Station, double-tracking between Glounthaune to Midleton, and re-signalling of the network will facilitate the future electrification of the Cork commuter rail network.

The NDP are also providing funding for the project.

The Plan NRRP was developed to spur a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic supported by the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, with Ireland expected to receive €988 million in grants.

Iarnród Éireann has said that it will work to ensure that customers are unaffected as much as possible by the works, scheduling line closures at times of off-peak travel and over St. Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend.

Customers travelling between Cork and Cobh and Cork and Midleton are advised that bus transfers will be in place from 5:45pm on Saturday evening until 9:45pm Sunday morning on Saturday 13/Sunday 14 and Saturday 20/Sunday 21 January.

On Saturday 27/Sunday 28 January All Cobh/Midleton/Mallow commuter services will be replaced by bus transfers and Cork Heuston services will operate between Heuston and Mallow only with bus transfers in place between Mallow and Kent between 5:45pm on Saturday evening until 9:45pm on Sunday morning.

On St. Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 2 until Monday 5 February inclusive Bus transfers will be in operation for Cobh/Midleton/Mallow commuter services and Cork Heuston services will operate as a bus transfer between Kent and Mallow.