‘Remarkable’ no mention of Cork light rail system in National Planning Framework document 

Concerns have been raised by Cork representatives about a plan aimed to shape the future growth and development of the country up to 2040.

A group established to promote sustainable development across Ireland’s southern region has claimed “major structural and geographic investment imbalances still exist” in the draft revision of the National Planning Framework (NPF).

Meanwhile, a Cork TD has said the omission of a major project exposes “problems” with the plan - specifically the exclusion of the proposed Cork light rail project.

The draft first revision to the NPF was published earlier this year and a public consultation on the draft framework closed on Thursday.

However, public and business representatives have expressed concern over the draft revision of the plan and what it offers going forward.

“While we recognise some positive developments, such as better alignment between national, regional, and local policies and significant state investment, major structural and geographic investment imbalances still exist,” director of the Southern Regional Assembly, David Kelly said.

The assembly, which works to promote sustainable development and regional cooperation across Ireland’s southern region, has called for a strengthening of the draft first revision “to ensure that it provides a clear direction for implementing the NPF’s policy objectives relating to effective regional development”.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said the plan contains no mention of the proposed Cork Luas.

'QUITE REMARKABLE'

“It’s quite remarkable that there is no mention of the Cork light rail system in this report.

“Not only should it be mentioned, it should be fast-forwarded with work commencing in the next year or two.

“Cork light rail is just part of the picture but its omission is a sure sign of the problems with this report,” he told The Echo.

Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy, said the revised plan “must make firm commitments to the accelerated delivery of key strategic infrastructure projects that are critical to the development of Cork and the surrounding region.

“Cork has a number of long-awaited infrastructure projects and upgrades across transport, education, health and culture that need to be prioritised for delivery in the coming years and should be included in the NPF.”

Cork Chamber director of public affairs Cathal McSweeney said that the metropolitan Cork area is “the most productive and efficient economy of scale” in the southern region and “is well positioned to deliver significant value and growth for the entire region”.

“The NPF should call out Cork’s strategic position and invest in its potential,” he said.

Almost 200 submissions were made on the draft first revision to the NPF during the public consultation.