Late 2009 before east Cork gets commuter service

THE Government’s timetable for reopening the Cork-Midleton railway line was called into question again last night when a TD claimed the start-up date would be later than previously announced.

Midleton-based TD David Stanton (FG) said he had what he regarded as “reliable information” pointing to another delay in the €130 million project.

“I have been told it could be next January before the tenders go out, which means work won’t start until February, 2008. We were told the tenders would be out this summer,” he said.

If the tenders were delayed by six months, as he’s been told will happen, it will be late 2009, instead of early 2009, before the service is operational.

Mr Stanton claimed this is not the first time the timetable has been altered.

In 2004, when Seamus Brennan was Minister for Transport, he went to the former Midleton railway station for a press conference, during which he declared trains would be running on the line in 2007.

At a three-day oral hearing into the project last November, senior Iarnród Éireann officials stated on two occasions that the line would open in July, 2008.

Subsequently, following a lengthy delay, then Minister for Transport Martin Cullen finally signed the Railway Order allowing the project to commence.

Days later, Iarnród Éireann was forced to admit it would be October 2008 before the trains rolled.

Then, Minister Cullen announced it would be early 2009, but he declined to give a month.

People can’t understand the delays because other major infrastructure projects have been completed very quickly.

Work on the €300m Fermoy bypass started in June 2004 and was completed last October, seven months ahead of schedule.

Deputy Ned O’Keeffe (FF) said he was very disappointed.

“Expectations are very high in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill areas from hard-pressed commuters. I will be taking the matter up with members of the Cabinet,” Deputy O’Keeffe said.

An Iarnród Éireann spokesman said design work on the project and property acquisition was underway.

However, he admitted, the tendering process “was taking a bit longer than anticipated” and wouldn’t comment on when it would be finalised. He added that the company was still hopeful it could meet the early 2009 target.

Meanwhile, Cork County Council has announced that a vital road project needed to help drivers get to Midleton railway station will start in mid-September.

The first phase of the€10m Midleton Northern Relief Road should be finished by Christmas 2008, and will link the N25 west of the town with Mill Road and the station.

The next phase of the plan is to build a road from Mill Road to the Dungourney Road and finally from the latter to the Youghal road. Deputy Stanton said it was vital all phases be completed quickly.

“Midleton is already suffering from traffic gridlock. It is vital this infrastructure is in place when the railway opens, jams will deter people from using the service,” Deputy Stanton said.