Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021
63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if there is a timeline in place for when work will begin on the Cork commuter rail corridor following the recent announcement of funding of €185 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31857/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) sets out an ambitious programme of proposed investment in the Cork rail network which will greatly benefit the city region and facilitate compact growth in the coming years. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with Iarnród Éireann to develop an implementation plan to deliver the CMATS' proposals and - together with the forthcoming revision of the National Development Plan - this will be central to the way in which the public transport development envisaged by CMATS will be brought into effect over the coming years.
Furthermore, my Department is currently engaging with colleagues across Government in relation to the preparation of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The transport component of the NRRP comprises an investment in Cork's rail network to support the longer-term objective to provide electrified rail services in the Cork metropolitan area, as set out in the CMATS. This is the largest single project proposed for inclusion in the NRRP and consists of the following works:
- Construction of a new ‘through’ platform within Kent Station to create a suburban rail network between Mallow, Midleton and Cobh;
- Re-signalling of the suburban rail network (62km of track); and
- Double-tracking of current single track between Glounthaune and Midleton (approximately 6 - 8km).
In line with the requirements set by the European Union for inclusion within recovery and resilience plans all works should be completed by end 2026, while it is expected that the works at Kent Station should be completed by end 2024.
