Cork lines could be running by 2008

COMMUTER lines to Midleton and Blarney in County Cork could be up and running by 2008, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said yesterday.

Speaking at the launch of the Strategic Rail Review, Mr Brennan said experts had found the Cork commuter lines would be the most profitable of the ten new proposed routes.

The rail review recommends that the Cork commuter lines should be given priority for development because the region has presented the best case for a new line that would be surrounded by planned industrial and residential schemes.

A cost benefit analysis has shown that it would take €124m capital funding to re-open the Cork to Midleton line and redevelop the Mallow to Cork line by building a new commuter station near Blarney.

The analysis also found that there would be a return of €14m to the Exchequer over the 20-year period of the strategy from Cork commuter lines.

This cost benefit analysis is the basis of a second report, the Cork Suburban Rail Feasibility Study, also launched yesterday by Mr Brennan.

While not giving any firm commitment of money for the Cork commuter lines, Mr Brennan said the projects could be completed by 2008.

The plan to develop new rail services in Cork arose from the findings of the Cork Area Strategic Plan 2001-2020 (CASP) which was commissioned by Cork County Council and Cork Corporation. This plan proposes major expansion to the north and east of the city but said commuter rail networks between Cork and Midleton and Cork and Mallow were crucial to this development. Iarnród Éireann commissioned Faber Maunsell to carry out a the feasibility study on the viability of these lines.

Cork county manager Maurice Maloney said economic analysis showed the Cork suburban rail project provided good value. Mr Moloney said he was pleased the two studies support the CASP concept of investing in the expansion of the rail network from Mallow to Midleton, including the reopening of the section of line from Glounthaune to Midleton: “Cork County Council, in its recently adopted County Development Plan 2003-09, has taken all the necessary decisions with regard to land use zoning to fit in with the new rail-based transport strategy.”

Cork Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Geary was delighted a case for developing more comprehensive suburban routes to Mallow, Cobh and Midleton had been agreed.

Cork county mayor Paula Desmond said she hoped, in view of the rail strategy’s importance to the development of the county, funding would be put in place without any delay.

The consultants recommended the first phase of the Cork commuter lines should be developed over the next five years. This would include opening stations at Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Dunkettle, Kilbarry and Monard.

It also recommended half-hourly services to Mallow and Cobh.