Planning sought for new Cork railway station and park and ride at Dunkettle 

Iarnród Éireann has today lodged a planning application for the development of a new train station and park and ride facility at Dunkettle.

It comes just weeks after the rail body lodged an application for another new station at Blackpool. 

Both proposed station developments are located on existing Iarnród Éireann land.

The two new stations are the first of eight set to be delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which will transform rail services in the Cork region by building to a 10-minute frequency across all three lines of the Cork commuter network.

Construction of the stations is expected to commence in 2027 and take up to two years to complete, subject to planning approvals and funding allocation.

Dunkettle Station is set to be a major park and ride, strategically located near Dunkettle Interchange, providing access to major roads such as the M8 and N25, helping to ease congestion on the intersection, and intercept traffic before it enters the city.

The new station will be served by two commuter lines, Cork-Cobh and Cork-Midleton, providing an initial 15-minute service for the catchment area.

There will be a 300-space park and ride facility alongside the new station, with scope for additional parking capacity to be introduced on a phased basis, based on demand.

The new station will be fully accessible with two platforms connected by a pedestrian footbridge from either side of the railway via stairs and accessible lifts.

Service uplift

There is a significant service uplift expected following completion of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme of works, with train frequency expected to be up to every five minutes each way.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, welcomed that the Dunkettle park and ride will also include 166 bicycle parking spaces, and 42 secure bicycle lockers. He said Cork City Council will complete active travel links from Glanmire to the proposed new station by October this year.

Mr Moran said that the planning application was a major step forward for commuters on the north side of the city.

“It will be the first park and ride on the city's northside and the first in the city served by rail. In some ways, it could serve as the Cork equivalent of what the Red Cow park and ride does for Dublin at the other end of the Cork-Dublin motorway.

“For people in Glanmire, it means a genuine alternative to commuting to the city by car. For motorists arriving in the city from the east or from the motorway, it means avoiding the Dunkettle and not having to wrestle with traffic in the city centre," said Mr Moran. 

“It’s also relief for communities around Horgan's Quay, where congestion from the eastern approaches to the city builds up.” 

Iarnród Éireann is also set to apply for planning, via a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year, for electrification of the Cork network, an additional six stations, and a depot for the new fleet.