Bishopstown sports clubs to discuss change of 'Cork Luas' route next week
Those proposed changes are part of the preferred route for the promised €1bn-plus light rail system – which is due to be published next week – and differ from last year's emerging preferred route (EPR). Image: LuasCork.ie
Two Bishopstown sports clubs were contacted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) the day after reported that changes to the planned route of the Cork Luas could impact their grounds.
Those proposed changes are part of the preferred route for the promised €1bn-plus light rail system – which is due to be published next week – and differ from last year's emerging preferred route (EPR).
The EPR had shown the Cork Luas running eastward along Bishopstown Rd beside the front boundary of Cork University Hospital (CUH) and turning left at the Wilton roundabout.
The preferred route will now see the light rail turning left to the west of CUH, heading north and east and cutting through several housing estates, while also likely impacting Bishopstown GAA Club and Highfield RFC.
Members of both clubs have privately expressed unhappiness that they have not been shown how the preferred route will affect their grounds, with one saying: “Whatever your code, a playing field has to conform to precise measurements. If you lop off a corner, then it’s no longer any use to you.”
It is understood that a TII representative contacted the clubs the day after this newspaper reported on the preferred route, and agreed to meet them on Monday, April 13, days before the preferred route will be published.
However, while officers of both clubs had asked to see maps showing the precise revised route, the TII declined to do so.
The preferred route is due to be published at 11am on Friday, April 17, starting a new round of non-statutory public consultation.
Last week, a TII spokesperson told that "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”.
Railway orders are statutory planning authorisations for the building of major railway infrastructure.
Local representatives have expressed disquiet at the way in which TII has handled the dissemination of information about the preferred route, and have called for its early publication.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, said TII and the National Transport Authority (NTA) needed to publish the route so locals could have clarity.
“It is deeply unfair for communities to find out about such drastic changes to their environments, without being in a position to even know the details of what is proposed,” he said.
Similarly, Terry Coleman, Fianna Fáil councillor for Bishopstown, said he was also calling for the “immediate” publication of the route.
“I have been approached by numerous residents in the vicinity of both Bishopstown GAA and Highfield and they are deeply worried about the adverse effects of the new preferred route,” he said.
“Having to wait until April 17 is causing huge angst to people.”
A senior government official told that they were hopeful that extensive compulsory purchase orders would not prove necessary, and their feeling was that the new route could work without major demolition in what is a very developed area.
They added: “Nobody wants to see houses knocked if it can be helped.”
A Bishopstown GAA Club spokesperson declined to comment. Highfield did not reply to requests for comment.
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