Highfield Rugby Club says Cork Luas route poses 'existential threat' to its future

With public consultations on the revised €2.5bn Luas Cork route ending next week, a second sports club has come out against the proposed rail line cutting through its grounds.

The preferred route for the proposed 20km light rail service was published in April, refining last year’s emerging preferred route, with significant changes on the western end of the route, in Ballincollig and Bishopstown.

Last year’s emerging preferred route had the Luas travelling along Melbourn Rd toward Curraheen Rd, joining Bishopstown Rd in front of Cork University Hospital.

However, the revised route turns east at the northern end of Melbourn Rd, running past Bishopstown Community School and cutting through the grounds of Bishopstown GAA Club and Highfield Rugby Club.

Last month, Bishopstown GAA vowed to fight the proposed rail line “to the end”.

Now Highfield has said the preferred route presents an “existential threat” to its future.

“For almost a century, Highfield has been a cornerstone of the Bishopstown community. Now, we face a future where our ability to provide rugby for all ages is at risk of being permanently derailed,” the club said.

Highfield said the preferred route “doesn’t just graze our boundaries – it cuts through the very heart of our club”.

The club said its second and third pitches will be rendered virtually redundant. 

"Access to these areas would require crossing a high-frequency twin-track Luas line, creating a physical and logistical barrier," it said.

Citing health and safety concerns, the club said its large group of under-age players would be forced to cross the twin-track Luas lines, something which “may result in the termination of our underage offering”.

Highfield said a significant portion of its lower car park will be eliminated by the preferred route, “compromising club security and removing a vital revenue stream currently generated through our leasing arrangement with Cork University Hospital”.

The club said it was calling on members, friends, family members, and neighbours to make submissions to the public consultation process.

“This is our window to protect our grounds.

“Our message is clear: we support public transport, but it cannot come at the cost of destroying a vital community sports institution,” the club said.

Earlier this week, transport minister Darragh O’Brien said the light rail system is “a really important project for Cork” and he believes that sports clubs such as Bishopstown should be compensated with new facilities and extra grounds.

Citing earlier compensation to Dublin clubs affected by Luas, Mr O’Brien said: “you’ll see that being done” in Cork.

A spokesperson for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said it was actively engaging with potentially impacted clubs, schools, residents, and businesses across the route including Bishopstown GAA and Highfield.

“The purpose of this consultation is to gather feedback about the preferred route so that we can carry out further studies and surveys to refine the design,” they said.

Public consultation on the preferred route of the Luas Cork closes at 5pm on Friday, June 12.

Highfield RFC was approached for comment.