Public consultation process finds overwhelming backing for Cork Luas project

Fewer than 2% of people who responded to the public consultation on the Cork Luas were against the project, a new report has shown, with the key theme in submissions being a desire to extend and expand the line.

The report, published by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), details the response to their public consultation for the Cork Luas project, which ran from April 14 to June 9. 

Luas Cork is a proposed 18km light rail line that will deliver a high-capacity public transport link between Ballincollig and Mahon, via the city centre. The emerging preferred route (EPR) will connect key destinations including MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station, the Docklands, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and Mahon.

Over the eight-week consultation period, TII received 1,003 submissions - 898 online, 85 by email, 15 by post, two by voicemail, and three video submissions. 

The report outlines how the consultation was conducted, the extent of public participation, and the key themes and sentiments expressed.

Submissions

A total of 91% of the submissions, 887, came from individual citizens; 10 or 1% from elected representatives, and 75 or 8% were on behalf of organisations, including the Ballincollig Business Association, Ballintemple Resident’s Association, Cork Chamber, Cork Deaf Club, Cork Cycling Campaign, and Tesco Ireland.

The consultation feedback demonstrated strong public support for light rail in Cork, with 55% of the submissions expressing satisfaction or neutral support for the specific route proposed, and 45% expressed dissatisfaction with the route.

Of those who expressed dissatisfaction, a significant number of submissions expressed a clear desire to extend the route to communities not currently served by the EPR, to deliver the project faster, and to address particular impacts.

When asked about their satisfaction with the location of the proposed stops - 43% expressed satisfaction, 18% were neutral, and 39% expressed dissatisfaction.

Outright opposition was expressed by just 18 respondents, whose submissions focused on the financial cost of the project, anticipated disruption during construction, and the belief that other infrastructure priorities should take precedence.

Analysed

Submissions were analysed, with most common eight themes were identified. The most widely supported request, submitted by 223 respondents, was to extend the route to communities in Douglas, Carrigaline and Rochestown.

It was also suggested by 181 people that the route should be extended to Cork Airport, while 169 proposed a westward extension to Classis Lake and Ovens to serve major employers like Dell.

There were 118 requests to extend the route to the north to Glanmire, Blackpool and Mayfield, perhaps building a second north-south line to complement the EPR’s east-west alignment.

TII also noted that a petition organised by Sinn Féin, 'Cork deserves a proper Luas!', calling for a more ambitious north–south Luas line that would serve key growth areas and include a spur to Cork Airport, had gathered 567 signatures at the time of the report.

Communities and stakeholders impacted by the proposed EPR expressed their concerns, from specific potential impacts on private property and premises to more general concerns about road safety and constrained locations. 

Residents in Churchyard Lane, Ballintemple and Melbourn Road were particularly concerned about impacts on them during construction and operation.

Businesses

Businesses on MacCurtain Street were also worried about the potential disruption during construction and operations. 

There were many other comments about wider issues such as the branding of Luas Cork; accessibility; the environment; the proposed new bridge over the Lee, in particular its potential disruption on the maritime community; possible phasing of the route and stop infrastructure; journey times; reliability, and efficiency.

A spokesperson for TII every submission had been read and studied by the project team. 

"TII and the NTA are committed to a transparent process of public engagement, and we would like to thank everyone who made a submission. A diversity of perspectives strengthens the design process and ensures a more inclusive outcome," said the spokesperson.

“Since the consultation closed, the points raised have been the subject of detailed discussion and consideration. Our goal is to proceed with the development of a Preferred Route, which we aim to publish in the first quarter of 2026.” 

The TII report said the next stage of the process will include “the careful consideration of feedback provided and where appropriate, the further consideration of local alternatives”.

This will be followed by another public consultation.

“In the meantime, we will continue to meet, talk, and listen to everyone affected by the route or potential changes.”