Residents call for more time to review Cork Luas route amid complex Blackrock section

Residents in Blackrock and Ballintemple say a highly technical report and complex route plans demand more time for review

A visualisation of a proposed Cork Luas tram passing Páirc Uí Chaoimh on its way to Mahon. The stretch of the preferred route through Ballintemple and Blackrock is regarded as the most complex and constrained part of the route. Image: LuasCork.ie

People living along the most constrained and complex section of the proposed Cork Luas route need more time to consider the plans, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been told.

The call for an extension to the period of public consultation on the emerging preferred route beyond next Monday’s deadline came following what was described as “a lively” public meeting between TII and residents of the Blackrock and Ballintemple areas on Wednesday.

The draft 18km route, published for public consultation in April, runs from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, with 25 stops along the way, including at Munster Technology University’s Bishopstown campus, Cork University Hospital, University College Cork, the city centre, Kent train station, the docklands, Blackrock, and Mahon.

Map released in April showing the emerging preferred route of the 18km Cork Luas route linking Ballincollig to Mahon Point. Image: LuasCork.ie

The draft route runs along Centre Park Rd, with a stop near SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, before negotiating the steep and narrow incline up Maryville, before making a sharp right turn onto Blackrock Rd, and then a near immediate left turn onto Churchyard Lane.

This turn requires the compulsory purchase and demolition of the landmark Venue Bar.

Given the complexity of the route in this area, TII agreed to a specific area meeting with residents on Wednesday, attended by some 100 people.

The Luas Cork emerging preferred route proposal includes the demolition of the Venue Bar in Ballintemple to facilitate the route crossing from Maryville to Churchyard Lane/Temple Hill. Picture: Larry Cummins

There was support for the project but concerns were raised about route options, the route selection process, subsidence, insurance, pinch-points, and traffic management.

Labour councillor Peter Horgan, chairman of the city council’s transport committee, said what was clear from the meeting is that people, especially in this area, need more time to assess the proposal, and study the highly technical route options documents. He said: 

To ask ordinary people and families to engage in a highly technical 75-page options and feasibility report document before June 9 is not applicable in these circumstances.

“Yes, it’s been published since the start of April but this was the first meeting of its kind between TII and the people in the area who are going to be impacted. And there were more questions out of the meeting than answers.

“I think it’s incumbent now on TII to extend the consultation deadline just to give residents in the area some breathing space, to engage with the options feasibility studies, to give suggestions of other routes.

A visualisation of a Cork Luas tram on the Skehard Rd. People in the area want the public consultation period to continue beyond next Monday’s deadline. Image: LuasCork.ie

“I think it’s important that we see, in plain and simple language, what another route would look like.”

TII has also been asked to publish the other route options that were ruled out, including a suggested route along the Blackrock to Passage greenway, or the creation of a loop on Monahan Rd to link back to Albert Rd, the South Link Road and then on to the Boreenmanna Rd, aligning with the mooted sustainable transport corridor proposed under BusConnects Cork.

“We only get one chance at this,” Mr Horgan said. “We have to make sure that we get it right and we have to make sure that we bring people with us.”

The Cork Commuter Coalition, which has welcomed the public consultation, also expressed concerns about the route through Ballintemple and Blackrock, suggesting that inclines and tight corners could lower tram speeds and reduce tram frequency. 

The meeting was also given a broad outline of the proposed Cork Luas delivery timeline, with hopes the preferred route will be finalised in 2026, that the railway procurement orders process would get underway in 2028, with a possible construction start date of 2030.

TII has been asked to comment.