Junior transport minister concerned over Luas route through Cork GAA club

The Cork-based minister of state at the Department of Transport has spoken out against the proposed route of the €2.5bn Luas Cork, which will cut through the grounds of his local GAA club.

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister of state at the Department of Transport, has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to listen to the concerns of sports clubs whose grounds are impacted by the light rail route.

It comes as Bishopstown GAA Club said this week it will fight “to the very end” the “completely unacceptable” preferred Luas route, which is currently planned to cut through its land and that of neighbouring rugby club Highfield.

The preferred route was published last month and refined last year’s proposals, with its most significant changes involving a 2km westward extension at Ballincollig and a partial rerouting through sporting, educational, and residential land in Bishopstown.

Mr Buttimer, a lifelong member and former chairman of Bishopstown GAA, told The Echo there was “deep concern” in the area about the proposed route going through his club and Highfield RFC.

He insisted that he supports the planned light rail project but said he was “not comfortable with the idea of it running through our precious sporting clubs”.

“The one thing that we can’t create in our area is any more land for sporting and recreational facilities,” he said.

“I’m genuinely sad to see so many members of Highfield and Bishopstown upset, worried, angry, and fearful about the proposals for their clubs.” 

Mr Buttimer said he understood that many people favoured the proposed route while others opposed it, adding that he had told TII there needed to be “meaningful engagement” with both clubs and all stakeholders.

“We need this so that we can deliver the Luas and we can deliver public transport infrastructure, whilst also protecting our sporting and community facilities which are at the heart of Bishopstown,” he said.

Separately, residents on the eastern side of Wilton Avenue have voiced their own concerns that the Luas will cut through their back gardens while the line skirts the grounds of Cork University Hospital (CUH).

One resident, who declined to be named, asked why they would face compulsory purchase orders when the State already owns the adjoining CUH.

“Why should private land be sacrificed for State infrastructure when there’s State land literally over our walls?” he said.

TII said it was “actively engaging with potentially impacted clubs, schools, residents and businesses across the route including Bishopstown GAA and Highfield Rugby Club”.

A spokesperson said the purpose of the current non-statutory public consultation was to gather information and feedback about the preferred route so TII could carry out further studies and surveys to refine its design.

CONSULTATION

As part of that consultation, which runs until Friday, June 12, open days are being held across the city, the first two of which occurred this week.

TII said the feedback it had received at both was “broadly positive”, with strong support voiced for the project even by those who had concerns.

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

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