Reopening of Midleton to Youghal railway line a 'no-brainer', Cork council hears

Council meeting told the only way to reduce increasing traffic congestion in East Cork is to reopen the line to Youghal, which ran for the last time in 1963

The Midleton to Cork rail line reopened in 2009, prompting repeated calls from local representatives and business figures in the years since to extend the route to Youghal. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Department of Transport is being asked to formally state its position on reopening the Midleton to Youghal railway line in East Cork after a senior Irish Rail official said there was no physical impediment to doing it.

Members of the East Cork Municipal District Council are to write to the department amid concerns the main roads in their region cannot take any more traffic and the only way of reducing car dependency is reopening the historic line.