Planned expansion and improvement of Cork bus network through Black Ash 'very positive'

Plans for a major new bus interchange at the Black Ash Park and Ride have been welcomed by Cork Airport and a Cork TD, who say it will increase connectivity across the city and suburbs.

Cork South Central TD Seamus McGrath told The Echo that “park and ride facilities and connection hubs in strategic locations must be a core element of our transportation plans for Cork city and suburbs for the future”.

Cork City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are seeking planning permission to develop the interchange at the Black Ash facility on Mick Barry Road to allow for the expansion of bus services accessing the park and ride and to facilitate the introduction of six new bus routes.

The no 213 park and ride bus service, which travels two-way from Black Ash to Patrick Street, will continue to operate during the site upgrade works.

It’s proposed that route 6, from Grange Road, Douglas Road, to University College Cork, would use the planned interchange, as would route 13, from Cork Airport to Kent Railway Station; route 14, from Mahon Point to Cork University Hospital; route 23, from Old Youghal Road to Ballyphehane; route 42x, from Fountainstown/Carrigaline; and the 13b, from Kinsale.

The interchange will create significant new connectivity between the city, county and key locations, such as Cork University Hospital, University College Cork, Cork Airport, and Kent Railway Station, the council and the NTA said.

Mr McGrath said: “I very much welcome the plans announced for a major bus interchange.

“I always believed that the Black Ash was underutilised, so this planned expansion and investment is very positive.

“Viable and reliable connections to other transport hubs, such as Kent Station, the bus station and Cork Airport, are critical and something I have been highlighting for some time.”

Cork Airport also welcomed the news. “The proposed interchange will vastly improve public transport connectivity between the city centre, the city suburbs and Cork Airport,” a spokesperson said.

“We want to make Ireland’s fastest growing airport more easily accessible by public transport for locals and visitors alike.

“In that regard, we are in dialogue with the NTA and Bus Éireann for further connectivity improvements, including extension of services through the night and enhancing links with the wider Munster hinterland,” they added.

It is proposed that four new bus bays, new entrance and exit points onto the Mick Barry Road, new bus shelters, seating and sheltered bike parking will all be developed at the facility, which will also provide safe walkways for pedestrians moving around the site.

Part 8 planning permission is being sought to develop the site, with the public consultation open for submissions until April 10.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle said that the plans “will allow passengers to seamlessly, conveniently and safely transfer from one bus route to another, or from their car or bike to any of the bus routes, providing greater public transport coverage to key destinations across the network”.

Cork City Council’s chief executive, Valerie O’Sullivan, described the proposed interchange as “a key element of the wider BusConnects Cork scheme”, adding that it “demonstrates the integrated nature of this project, which is aimed at providing regular, reliable and integrated public transport services, as well as enhanced walking, cycling and bus infrastructure”.