Cork Transport: New Kent Station platform due to be operational by March

A new platform at Kent Station is set to be completed and in use in a matter of weeks, Iarnród Éireann has announced.

The company advised commuters of upcoming works across the Cork rail network which will see this project completed and construction advance on the new track between Glounthaune and Midleton. The interrelated projects are being delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme.

Following construction commencing in October 2023, work has continued on Platform 6 at Kent Station, with the project due to be completed, commissioned, and ready to enter operations from March.

Meanwhile, significant advancement has been made on works for the new second track to Midleton while a network-wide signalling upgrade continues at pace.

Each element of phase one of CACR will support the proposed future service and capacity increases on the network.

Track works will continue until December 10, from Monday to Wednesday, from 8pm onwards, excluding bank holidays, for the second track on the Glounthaune to Midleton line.

Cuttings and embankment works on the Cork to Cobh/Midleton line will take place on January 27 and 29, as well as February 4, 5, 10, and 12, from 8pm onwards. Bridge maintenance works on February 15 and 16 will take place when lines are closed.

New platform and track works will take place on the Mallow to Cork line on February 16, affecting Dublin to Cork, Tralee to Cork, and Cork to Mallow services.

“Iarnród Éireann apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause,” said a spokesperson for the company, adding that replacement bus services will be in operation for impacted services.

Other work under the CACR programme includes the signalling and communications project, which is estimated to be completed in 2026, as is the Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track project.

A project for new stations and existing station improvements, a new fleet depot, and electrification is to undergo a public consultation this year, with the company aiming to submit a railway order application, the equivalent of a planning application, to An Bord Pleanála at the end of this year.

Phase one of CACR is largely funded by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.