New Cork Luas route revealed

The new preferred route for the Cork Luas has been announced, with a public consultation phase running until 12 June at 5.30pm.

The new preferred route will feature 27 stops and run from Ballincollig to Mahon, via MTU Bishopstown, Wilton Road, Washington Street, Kennedy Quay, Kent Station, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and Boreenmanna Road.

A number of open days as part of the public consultation have been announced where drawings of the route can be inspected by members of the public, and where Transport cIreland (TII) staff will be on-hand to answer questions.

These will take place on 6 May at the Kingsley Hotel in Victoria Cross, on 7 May at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 12 May at the Carraig Centre in Ballincollig, and 13 May in the Metropole Hotel. All open days will run from 12pm to 8pm.

A Luas Cork office will also be opened on Horgan’s Quay.

The route is largely the same as the Emerging Preferred Route which was published last year, However, a spokesperson for TII said that it contains some improvements, including additional and reconfigured stops.

They said that the biggest change was at the northern end of Melbourne Road, where the route will turn east, and run uphill past Bishopstown Community School, Ballinaspig Lawn, Bishopstown GAA, Highfield Rugby Club, Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Saint Columba’s Convent and then through Cork University Hospital (CUH) campus.

Cllr Kieran McCarthy welcomed the announcement of the route. “I remain of the belief that Luas Cork is a very positive game changer in public transport,” he said.

However, he also expressed disappointment that Rochestown and Douglas were entirely excluded from the scheme.

Cork Chamber has also welcomed the publication of the preferred route. Cork Chamber Chief Executive Conor Healy said: “The progression of Luas Cork to preferred route stage is a significant milestone for Cork and a positive step towards delivering the integrated multi-modal transport system our growing city needs.”