Consultants to be appointed to help deliver Cork's €274m commuter rail plan

The new transport strategy includes proposals for new rail stations at Blarney, Monard, Blackpool and Ballynoe, with trains running every five minutes. 

New stations could be developed at Blarney, Blackpool and Ballynoe under the plan. 

Consultants are due to be appointed before the end of the month to prepare a high-level study to guide the delivery of a €274m suburban rail system for the Cork metropolitan region.

Their report, which could take at least a year to prepare, is expected to include a feasibility study and various development options to ensure the delivery of what is a key objective of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) - the blueprint for the delivery of public transport in the region for the next 20 years.