Cork’s northern distributor road approved by NTA

It is expected that the preliminary design will be completed and proposals ready to submit by early 2028

Computer generated image of the propsosed Cork northern distributor road. 

The route for the Cork Northern Distributor Road has been chosen and the National Transport Authority has agreed that the project can now progress to the design and environmental assessment stage.

According to the Cork City Council, the plans have also now been included by the government in the National Development Plan for Transport Sector Investment for major projects costing between €200m and €500m.

City Hall has also confirmed there will be no requirement for the demolition of any homes as part of the 14km-long scheme’s construction.

However, it has also confirmed the tender process to actually build the project will not start until 2031.

Chief Executive of Cork City Council Valerie O’Sullivan said: “This is another important step forward in the delivery of the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Road.

“I welcome the recent announcement of the project’s inclusion in the National Development Plan, reflecting Government’s confidence in Cork as a key driver for regional growth and as a counterbalance to the capital, and a determination to deliver the project in response to the evolving needs of the community, the economy and our environment.”

The preferred route corridor for a road running east to west across the northside of Cork city was unveiled for public consultation earlier this year, to run from a point on the western side of the city on the Carrigrohane Road to Glanmire in the east, via Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff.

Some 1,413 submissions were received by the council and more than 900 people attended four information open days.

The submissions confirmed what the council said was “a broad consensus amongst members of the public on the need for the new northside multimodal road”. The council also said: 

Public feedback also identified several themes which have been assessed and will feed into and inform the ongoing design process.

“These include issues in relation to access, property and lands, environment, public transport, delivery timelines, local traffic, and City Development Plan.

“The scheme will undergo further design development, as well as detailed environmental, transport, and other relevant assessments, before the final design is ready to be presented. This next phase of work will involve a range of assessments, including flora and fauna surveys, geological investigations, archaeological studies, and detailed terrain mapping."

The scheme design will be subject to further public consultation and, if proceeded with, a statutory planning application will be made to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

It is anticipated the preliminary design will be completed and proposals ready to submit by early 2028.