Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004
6 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Transport his views on the need to reopen the Cork-Midleton rail link; if further progress has been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15766/04]
View answer40 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Transport if it is feasible to extend the proposed new commuter rail service in Cork to Midleton and Youghal; and the steps he intends to take to progress such a proposal. [15937/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 40 together.
I was delighted to announce, on my visit to Cork last week, that the Government has approved the development of a commuter rail service between Mallow and Midleton to meet the long-term needs of the east Cork region.
The development involves the construction of new rail stations on the existing main rail line between Mallow and Kent Station and the re-laying of track and reopening of services between Cork city and Midleton. In all, five new stations will be constructed at Blarney, Kilbarry, Dunkettle, Carrigtwohill and Midleton. The proposals emanate from the Cork area strategic plan, CASP, which was commissioned by Cork City and County Councils in 2000.
The new rail commuter service is designed to meet the long-term needs of the rapidly expanding east Cork region, to alleviate traffic congestion into and out of the city at peak times and to attract industrial and commercial developers.
The CASP and the strategic rail review, commissioned by my Department, both supported the case for upgrading commuter rail services in the Cork area. A feasibility study conducted by Iarnród Éireann showed a positive economic return for the proposed rail developments.
Iarnród Éireann has already begun design work on the project and is concluding technical examinations of the new stretch of line between Glounthaune and Midleton. When the examinations are completed, I expect to receive from the company detailed costings for the infrastructure and rolling stock requirements. The funds will be provided from my Department's capital investment envelope, from the special contributions schemes established by the local authorities and from private developers' contributions. It is also hoped to secure EU funding for the project.
The approach taken by the authorities in Cork, through the CASP, is a model plan for the integration of land use and transportation strategies, and one which other local and regional authorities around the country would be advised to follow.
The CASP contains proposals for further expansion of commuter rail services, in the longer term, including extending the Midleton line to Youghal. These proposals will be examined further as development in the areas concerned takes place and demand for services grows to a point where additional capacity may be necessary.
Some of these questions were submitted before the Minister visited Cork. In light of the Minister's comments, what are the ballpark figures we are talking about? I am sure the Minister had to get some sort of approval from the Department of Finance prior to his visit to Cork. Human nature being what it is, there is concern that in light of the timing of the visit, the commitment may evaporate after 11 June.
With regard to the projected cost figures, what is the breakdown or ratio of the funding from the local authorities through the special development levies, from the private developers, from the State and from the European Union? Those figures are critically important if this project is to be used as a blueprint.
The estimated cost of the Mallow-Midleton suburban service is €89.7 million. That is broken down as follows: restoring the Midleton service track signalling stations — €56.3 million; new stations between Mallow and Cork — €9.4 million; and rolling stock — €24 million. This makes a total of €89.7 million.
The Deputy asked from where the funding will come. It is proposed the Exchequer will contribute €32.7 million from the financial envelope allocated to public transport, the European Union will contribute €23.5 million and the levies and private investment combined will be about €34 million. Some of the figures have yet to be finalised. The €34 million must be pinned down. That is a ballpark assessment of the figure. The EU funding must also be fully finalised in terms of the actual amount. Those discussions are advanced. These are the ballpark figures although there may be some tweaking of them.
I wish to pay tribute to the CASP organisation. The people involved in the plan went about their business professionally and in an organised way. That the local business community was able to offer more than €30 million meant the Government could examine the project. It is a template for any other part of the country that is thinking of reopening a rail line. This is an excellent model of how to approach the idea and assess it professionally. I pay tribute to all those who brought this project to Government and who made it an easy decision because of the professional approach and the manner in which they recommended it.
Am I to take it from the Minister's earlier reply that the extension of the line to Youghal will have to wait until the Department sees whether the existing line to Midleton is a success? Does he agree that the real key to success in the use of these new assets is the running of as many services as possible on the fixed line?
Given that we are investing in the renewal of the Cork-Midleton line, which I very much welcome, does it not make sense to proceed immediately with the construction of a line to Youghal, given that a large section of passengers travelling to Youghal would use the main line in which we are investing? Such an extension would bring further planning benefits to that major developing town.
Does the Minister or the Department have plans for similar development of the public transport system on the south side of Cork where there has been massive population growth but there is no such public transport provision? What public transport provision does the Minister have to offer people on the south side of Cork?
The CASP study envisages all the developments to which the Deputy referred. The CASP contains proposals for extending the Midleton line to Youghal, but that will have to be considered in the longer term. It is not a project on which I can embark now. However, I will keep the proposal under close examination as we move forward to develop the Cork-Midleton line. The position is similar in respect of the proposal for the south side of the city. The development of the Cork-Midleton line is a major investment and has been identified as the priority by those involved in CASP. They indicated the other proposals are also important but that they would have to be considered in the longer term.
In the breakdown of the figures the Minister gave I did not hear him mention any figure for the provision of park and ride facilities. In that context and in the context of the Luas, which I hope will be up and running soon, are there plans to run shuttle services to some of these railway stations? It seems there is a blinkered approach to the provision of services whereby we consider only the transport needs of the people within the immediate catchment area of these stations. Should we not consider developing significant park and ride facilities in areas where there are major junctions between the rail and road networks?
Does the Minister agree that when the new motorways are constructed they will bring people into the cities much quicker but that traffic will be much slower moving around cities unless investment is made in public transport? If we can facilitate and encourage the development of park and ride facilities, it could alleviate some of these problems in the future.
Will the Minister explain why he cannot invest in the rail extension to Youghal? Is it because of a lack of money? If the development of that line makes such strategic sense, why are we not proceeding with it?
I am a strong supporter of park and ride facilities and substantial investment is being made in them. When I was in Cork last week I opened the Black Ash park and ride facility which is the first such facility in the country specifically tailor-made as a park and ride facility. I compliment everyone who made that happen in Cork. It will accommodate 700 cars and is located near the Kinsale Road roundabout. It is the first of many such facilities envisaged by the local authority in the area which received funding support from the Department of Transport.
Regarding Luas, Deputy Naughten and Deputy Ryan in particular will be aware of the number of park and ride facilities being developed along the Luas line. There are also tax breaks for anyone who wants to invest in park and ride facilities. I hope significant use will be made of those in the future.
It is too early to make a decision to extend the line from Midleton to Youghal. It is a matter of priorities. My priority is to do what we announced last week, namely, to re-open the Cork-Midleton line with new track laid. We will see how development progresses in those areas because such development would have to work up to critical mass.
We are developing commuter lines. We had 3,000 miles of rail track 50 years ago and we now have a thousand miles of such track. If we are to develop the rail network, and I am a believer in doing that, there is a strong case for the development of high-speed intercity and commuter services. I intend to push ahead with those along the lines of this proposed commuter service. The case for other such services is not as clear but that does not mean we will not invest in them. There is no argument remaining against the value of providing commuter line services to and from high-density areas. It is the way of the future and I intend to continue to invest in those.
Does the Minister have figures for the number of people who currently commute between Youghal and Cork city?
I will have to get them for the Deputy as I do not have them with me.
I would appreciate if the Minister could supply them to me.
I will do that.
