Open days will give public chance to have a say on Luas Cork preferred route 

Two open days to showcase the preferred route for the Luas Cork will be held by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) this week.

The preferred route refines last year’s emerging preferred route (EPR), with the majority of the major changes occurring on the western end of the route, in Ballincollig and Bishopstown.

In Ballincollig, the route now starts 2km further to the west, as far as Flynn’s Rd, which Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) says will widen the light rail’s catchment area. 

Significant changes

The most significant changes, however, are planned for Bishopstown. In last year’s emerging preferred route (EPR), the Luas ran east from Curraheen Rd onto Bishopstown Rd, passing the front of Cork University Hospital (CUH), before turning left at the Wilton roundabout.

Now, in the preferred route, the line will turn left and east at the northern end of Melbourne Rd, running uphill past Bishopstown Community School, Ballinaspig Lawn, Bishopstown GAA, Highfield Rugby Club, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, and St Columba’s Convent.

The route will then turn into CUH between the acute mental health unit and the dental hospital, cutting through several back gardens on the eastern side of Wilton Avenue, and emerge at the front of the hospital before continuing to the Wilton roundabout. 

As part of the latest round of non-statutory public consultation, which is running until Friday, June 12, four open days are being held across the city, the first two of which occurred last week.

The first of the remaining two open days will be held this Thursday, May 12, at the Carraig Centre, Ballincollig, running from 12pm to 8pm. 

The second will be on Friday, May 13 at the Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street, from 12pm to 8pm.