Mixed reactions to Cork Luas preferred route

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has announced a public consultation on the Luas Cork Preferred Route.

The consultation will run until 12 June at 5.30pm.

The Preferred Route will run from Ballincollig to Mahon Point via the City Centre, and consist of at least 27 stops.

The project is currently expected to be completed by 2036.

Reaction to the Preferred Route has been mixed.

While a light rail service for Cork is seen as a necessity if the city hopes to keep up with others in Europe, the proposed route and the impact that it could have on residents in its path has drawn criticism.

More to be done

The lack of service for either the north or south side of the city in the plan has been criticised by a number of city councillors.

Independent Cll Kieran McCarthy said he believes that Luas Cork is “a very positive game changer in public transport”.

However, he said he was disappointed areas like Douglas and Rochestown will not be served.

He also said he wanted to see the timeline for delivery shortened. “It is still down for the mid-2030s,” he said.

Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch was harsher in his criticism, saying the proposed plan for the use of Station Road in Ballincollig would bring “mayhem” to the area.

“It is baffling how TII have spent a year working on this, only to propose a worse route than that previously devised,” he said.

“Station Road is not a suitable location for Luas traffic given the number of schools, community facilities and residential estates located on the road itself and in the immediate vicinity.

“This case has been made by me, and it has been made by residents, yet it has fallen on deaf ears,” he said.

He said Ballincollig residents should attend the public open day on 6 May and make their submissions.

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice also criticised the lack of services for the north side of the city, as well as Carrigaline and Douglas.

He said that “to exclude areas with heavy traffic and population growth from the proposed route represents a big, missed opportunity”, and that plans to “rip up the completed regeneration of MacCurtain St” was difficult to understand considering the cost of the project.

Not all bad

However, the reaction has not been completely negative.

Cork Chamber welcomed the Preferred Route and said it was critical that the project now progress at pace.

Chief Executive Conor Healy said the project is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of our city”.

“By taking a strategic, future-focused approach, we can ensure that this investment supports Cork’s continued growth as a vibrant, connected and sustainable city.

“Momentum is crucial for Luas Cork and the pace at which it is delivered will be a key test for the effectiveness of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan,” he said.

CEO of the National Transport Authority Anne Shaw said the project has “the potential to be a transformative project that will benefit communities in the city and beyond for generations to come”.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said the project is “underpinned by huge government investment and will be transformative for the people of Cork”.

In numbers

18.6km of tram lines from Ballincollig-Mahon Point via City Centre.

27 stops: Ballincollig - MTU Bishopstown - Wilton Road - Washington Street - Kennedy Quay - Kent Station - Parc Uí Chaoimh - Boreenmanna Road

One new bridge from Horgan’s Quay to Kennedy Quay

One new Luas Cork office to open on Horgan’s Quay

Ten years until first trams running

Six minutes between trams

20 minutes from Mahon Point to the City Centre; 35 minutes from Ballincollig to the city centre

70,000 people within 15 minute walk of a Luas stop; 150,000 people within 15-minute cycl

3,000 passengers per direction, per hour

Four upcoming open days as part of the public consultation, all 12pm-8pm - 6 May in the Kingsley Hotel, Victoria Cross; 7 May in Páirc Uí Chaoimh; 12 May in Carraig Centre, Ballincollig and; 13 May in the Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.