Planning sought for dozens of additional parking spaces at Cork train station

Iarnród Éireann has lodged a planning application for an upgrade to the car park at Millstreet train station which would see extra parking spots and EV charging.

The application, lodged with Cork County Council, requests permission to provide an additional 46 spaces at the station and, if successful, will see works begin late next year.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesperson told The Echo that the 46 new spaces include seven “which in the future will become EV charging stations”.

“The works will also include the provision of 10 bicycle parking spaces, a bicycle shelter, and the creation of a bus set-down/interchange facility.

“Subject to planning being granted and funding being allocated, it is anticipated that construction will commence late 2025 and will be completed in mid-2026,” the spokesperson added.

The planned upgrade is part of Iarnród Éireann’s national car park expansion programme, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which aims to provide greater car parking, bicycle parking, EV charging, and bus set-down space to facilitate growth in multi-modal journeys.

Millstreet station was heavily upgraded over 30 years ago for the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in the town.

Elsewhere in Cork, Iarnród Éireann just completed an accessibility upgrade to Banteer Station, with a spokesperson adding: “We plan to lodge planning applications for accessibility works at Rushbrooke and Glounthaune Stations later this year and, subject to approval from NTA, plan to apply for accessibility upgrade to Fota station next year”.