'Opportunity' for Youghal-Midleton rail link to be included in revised transport strategy for Cork

The former signal tower and railway station in Youghal. Picture: Denis Minihane

There is "an opportunity" for a Youghal-Midleton rail link to be included a revised transport strategy for Cork, the Dáil has been told.

Passenger trains from Midleton to Youghal were discontinued in 1963, while freight trains continued to use the line until 1982. 

The issue of the rail link was raised by Cork East TD James O'Connor, who said that "the public want a sense and feel for the timeline of this happening".

However, Mr O'Connor said that "a debate" may be needed on whether the rail line could support an electrified dual track or if a greenway would need to be removed.

"When it comes to a capital project of this scale and nature, this needs to be on capital plans in order for it to happen. 

"That is probably the one thing that has been exceptionally disingenuously pumped out by people involved, who want to make this feel as though it can be done with the click of a finger and overnight, when that is just not how things happen," Mr O'Connor said.

Being honest, there are huge political barriers and challenges.

In response, junior transport minister Seán Canney said that the plan is not in the All-Island rail review, but that a review of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy could see it included.

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"At present, it is not on the strategy for Cork transport or in the all-island rail review. 

"There is an opportunity to see if we can get it into the Cork metropolitan transport strategy. That is the opportunity. I will not pre-empt the outcome of that strategy here today, other than to say it is the vehicle by which this will change from being something people desire to becoming part of the strategy for the development of Cork."

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

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