Benefits of reopening East Cork rail line will be 'transformative', says TD

A Cork group presented its case in the Dáil this week, calling for the reopening of the train line to Youghal, highlighting the environmental, health and safety, and quality of life improvements this would bring.

Regular passenger services to Youghal station were withdrawn in 1963, with goods traffic continuing in the 1960s and early 1970s before also ceasing.

Speaking to The Echo, East Cork Rail Alliance chairman Michael Beecher said that while the tracks were taken out, and a greenway is now in place of them, they are hoping to reinstall the rail line alongside it, having seen the success of the rail line to Midleton which was reopened 16 years ago.

“That’s been so successful that they’re putting down a second track from Cork to Midleton, and we want to row in on that success,” said Mr Beecher.

“At the moment the traffic [in Youghal] is gridlocked, making getting to work or appointments impossible, and the bus can’t run its service every hour on the hour because of the gridlock.”

Prime

Mr Beecher said Youghal used to be a centre for the textile industry, but that there have been no large commercial sites set up there in decades, and that an easier route into the town could prime it for future investment.

“Business people making their way to Youghal will see the gridlock and turn to go somewhere else, we’re losing out.

“Every household needs two or three cars, there can be up to five cars per household. We have people driving to Midleton to get the train.”

He said that their group was formed after an online petition garnered 5,000 signatures last November.

“I called a meeting at the front strand and 27 people turned up. I was appointed chairman and we’ve had a meeting every month since then.

“What we’ve achieved is phenomenal, we’re up to more than 20,000 signatures on the petition after we went around to business outlets in East Cork and West Waterford.”

Support

Mr Beecher said the group was delighted with the support it has received from local TDs.

Social Democrats TD for East Cork, Liam Quaide, told The Echo that restoring the Midleton to Youghal rail link will be costly and challenging, but added that “it will ultimately be an investment with endless benefits for the quality-of-life of residents and the economic potential of the region, as well as our carbon reduction commitments”.

“The rail link is a core infrastructural need for Youghal, Killeagh, Mogeely, and Castlemartyr, and it must be pursued with all our political will."

Sinn Féin Cork East TD Pat Buckley said both he and his West Waterford party colleague, TD Conor McGuinness, are in full support of reinstating the rail service to Youghal.

“The benefits to East Cork would be transformative. The current traffic congestion would be reduced dramatically, new homes would be built right along the corridor, businesses would expand and grow, and tourism would flourish — it’s a no brainer.”