Revised Cork light rail plans may impact Bishopstown homes and clubs

A partial rerouting of the proposed Cork Luas line — outlined in plans seen by The Echo — could necessitate the compulsory purchase of homes and sporting grounds in a western suburb.

Last summer, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the emerging preferred route (EPR) for the planned €1bn-plus Cork light rail system.

The EPR route runs 18km from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east, with 25 stops along the way.

However, at least one section of that initial EPR is expected to be significantly altered when the preferred route — the next stage of the planning process — is published later this year.

The EPR had the Cork Luas running eastward from Curraheen Rd, “joining Bishopstown Rd and sharing with general traffic until Cork”, travelling beside the front, southern boundary of Cork University Hospital (CUH) and turning left and northward at the Wilton roundabout.

When the EPR was published last year, concerns were raised about a light rail system sharing the notoriously busy Wilton Rd with cars and buses. Similar misgivings were voiced about other traffic pinch-points such as MacCurtain St and Skehard Rd.

Under the revised proposals, the preferred route would have the light rail turning sharply left immediately before and west of CUH, heading north and east along the hospital’s western and northern borders, and cutting through several housing estates.

This area is heavily developed and populated, and would likely require a swathe of compulsory purchases.

The grounds of Bishopstown GAA Club and Highfield Rugby Club could also be affected.

Asked about the new proposals, a spokesperson for TII said that since the non-statutory public consultation closed last June, TII and the NTA had been studying submissions.

“We have been looking at various options to improve the proposed EPR. We expect to have completed our refined design soon, at which stage it will be published as a preferred route for another non-statutory public consultation,” they said.

“All residents, businesses, elected representatives and key stakeholders will be able to review this preferred route and make submissions before a final route design is prepared for the application of a railway order.”

Under the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001, a railway order is a statutory planning authorisation required to build or alter major railway infrastructure, permitting construction, environmental mitigation, and compulsory land acquisition.

In a series of follow-up questions, The Echo asked TII to confirm the accuracy of the new proposals, what specific submissions prompted the changes, and whether the preferred route will differ as widely from the EPR in other areas across the city.

The TII spokesperson declined to comment further.

Terry Coleman, Fianna Fáil city councillor for the south-west ward, said he was calling on TII to immediately engage with elected representatives in the area.

“It is deeply disappointing that I am only hearing rumours through the grapevine about significant changes to the previously published route through Bishopstown,” he said.

“These are major alterations which will have serious real-life consequences for local residents, and we deserve to be treated with more respect than this.” 

Peter Horgan, Labour Party councillor and chair of the council’s transport committee, said engagement with residents and public representatives was needed if drastic changes to the EPR were planned.

“If we want Cork Luas to work, then a shock switch to a route barrelling through housing estates needs to be communicated properly if we want to retain public confidence,” he said.

Suzanne O’Sullivan, chairperson of Bishopstown GAA, said the club had not received any proposals, but if it did it would put them to its executive.

Asked for comment, Cork City Council referred The Echo back to TII.