'No plan, no policy, no funding' for Midleton to Youghal railway line, says Irish Rail

AJ Cronin, the Irish Rail manager in charge of the €1.8bn upgrade of the Cork Commuter Rail project, had better news about about that project

A train heading to Midleton from Cork's Kent Station. The East Cork Municipal District Council heard there is not enough capacity on early morning trains from Midleton to Cork, and they are too late to connect with the first Dublin service at 6.15am. File picture: Larry Cummins

Irish Rail has said there is currently “no plan, no policy, no funding, and no project” to reinstate the railway line between Midleton and Youghal.

AJ Cronin, the Irish Rail manager in charge of the €1.8bn upgrade of the Cork Commuter Rail project, said even if the government approved the reinstatement tomorrow morning, it could take up to 10 years to develop and would cost around €200m.

Mr Cronin was addressing the East Cork Municipal District Council when asked about the possibility of reopening the line by the Mayor of County Cork, independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley.

Thanking him for his honesty, she said public representatives from the region would have to get the Government to change its policy, saying Taoiseach Micheal Martin is Cork-based and should be lobbied.

Mr Cronin said there is still enough room running along the new greenway, which has been built on an old line to accommodate a railway.

He said:

If policy changes, then 100% I will deliver it. I haven’t got a magic wand to change policy, politicians do. I’d never say never (to it reopening). 

"Railways enable housing and employment growth.”

Mr Cronin had better news about progress on the €1.8bn commuter railway upgrade in the region.

He said the installation of twin tracks between Glounthaune and Midleton is three months ahead of schedule and could be completed as early as mid-May. The opening of that and the addition of new rolling stock will provide services every 10 minutes to and from Cork City.

He said Irish Rail hopes to apply for planning permission “in the next couple of weeks” for new park and ride railway stations at Dunkettle and Kilbarry in Blackpool. All going well, he said construction of these stations should start within the next 12 months. 

Irish Rail intends to place an order for 21 new electric trains, at a cost of €280m, in 2028. However, Mr Cronin said realistically it will be 2030 or 2031 before they become fully operational.

Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulcahy said there is not enough capacity on early morning trains from Midleton to Cork, and they are too late to connect with the first Dublin service at 6.15am.

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Mr Cronin said he is aware of capacity issues and Irish Rail is trying to acquire additional rolling stock to address this.

He added they will ask for the National Transport Authority's permission to provide earlier services for Midleton and more late-night services to there and Cobh.

The East Cork Rail Alliance, which has collected 20,000 signatures to have the Youghal line reopened, is to address the East Cork Municipal District Council next month.