Cork Luas: Mixed reaction after publication of preferred route for €2.5bn transport network

Local politicians broadly welcome preferred route — but raise issues including funding, further disruption on MacCurtain St, and the absence of routes to the Northside and Cork Airport

A visualisation of a Luas Cork tram turning from St Patrick's Street into Grand Parade in the preferred route published last week.

There has been a mixed political reaction locally to the publication of the preferred route for the €2.5bn Cork Luas with some welcoming it but others questioning the choices made and the routes not taken.

The 20km, 27-stop preferred route runs from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon Point in the east, via the city centre.

A large number of properties will be impacted and a number of compulsory purchase orders will have to be made if the preferred route goes ahead.

At the launch, former lord mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle noted that he had been, in 2006, the first person to suggest a Luas for Cork. He expressed concern that funding for the project has not been guaranteed.

“Cork Luas is not part of any Government funding envelope, and it does require a political decision as to what money is going to be provided for it,” he said.

Noel O’Flynn, Independent Ireland member of Cork City Council, asked a question to the fore of many minds on Leeside.

Northside and Cork Airport left out

“Did you forget about the link to the airport and the northside of Cork City, and have you any plans to expand this particular Luas line?” he asked.

Paolo Carbone, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) head of light rail projects, replied that when building a light rail system, “the first step is the most difficult”, and the plan was that later additions could be made to the initial spine of the project.

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said he did not accept that just because the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) had not included a north-south element, this should dictate that the Luas would not serve the northside and the airport.

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice expressed regret that the Luas was not being moved to the quays, away from MacCurtain St.

“The proposed route still plans to rip up the recently completed regeneration of MacCurtain St, the revamp of the area cost millions, so to see these concerns unaddressed is difficult to understand,” he said.

Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said that while the publication of the preferred route was welcome, meaningful public consultation must now follow.

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“There must be clear efforts made to minimise impacts on homes, sports clubs and businesses in terms of the final route design,” said Ms Harmon, 

She added that public confidence would depend on transparency, accountability and ensuring that local communities were fully heard.