Proposed Suburban Rail
HITECHURCH
Support Development Intensi cation
10 min fre uency
Support Strategic Development Zone Blarney/Stoneview
SA ROO Monard ARNE Dual track to Midleton Support future development. ark ide to accomodate 10 min Water Rock traffic from on suburban rail fre uency Blackpool/Kilbarry Support future development Carrigtwohill Carrigtwohill Midleton TO ER of Tivoli ocks West AC POO Glounthaune MA FIE MI ETON Dunkettle NOC NAHEENE Kent Station Support Future Development
Little Island Improve Signal operations Tivoli 5 min Fota fre uency AC ROC P&R to accomodate traf c Key Station Interchange from and on A INCO IG Through running of suburban services at min frequenc uburban ail ew paltform on southern side of station nterchange with ight ail Transit and core bus services mprove ISHOPSTO N signal operations 10 min OUG AS fre uency PASSAGE EST
Support future development Carrigaloe FRAN FIE and interchange with local bus servicesd Ballynoe
CO H LEGEND - T MON STO N COR Cobh xisting Train tations AIRPORT Rushbrooke roposed Train tations
ail orridor
RINGAS I ark ide tation
HITEGATE CARRIGA INE CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 65
HITECHURCH Future-proofing the ability of Kent Station This consolidation will further support The quality of design and layout of new Future-proofing the and its environs to support significantly the viability of the railway corridor as will development will be critical to support Support Development Intensi cation ability of Kent Station and enhanced multi-modal accessibility from proposals to potentially include Mallow rail access by walking, cycling and public its environs to support walking, cycling, BusConnects and light station within a future Metropolitan Cork transport. The provision of a new rail 10 min rail will be a critical consideration for Cork fare structure. Platform improvements station with Park and Rail facilities near fre uency significantly enhanced City Council when assessing development may also be required at Mallow station Dunkettle should be expedited to support multi-modal accessibility proposals in the short to medium term. to mitigate the projected increase in the Glanmire UEA at Ballinglanna where Support Strategic from walking, cycling, suburban rail services impacting on the a significant housing development has Development Zone Outside of Cork City, the Strategy fully Inter-City Services between Cork, Kerry recently been approved by An Bord Blarney/Stoneview BusConnects and light rail supports the strategic direction of Cork and Dublin. Pleanála. This Park and Ride could will be a critical consideration County Council’s adopted planning potentially be supported by bus services to for the City Council when frameworks to significantly intensify and New Railway Stations Cork City Centre, Mahon and Little Island, SA ROO assessing development consolidate future housing, employment To support sustainable growth along an in advance of a rail station. The Strategy Monard and educational development within the enhanced railway corridor; new railway also leaves open the possibility of a further ARNE Dual track to Midleton proposals in the short to Support future development. immediate catchment area of Cobh, stations are proposed at the following station at Carrigtwohill West to support ark ide to accomodate 10 min Water Rock medium term. Midleton, and Carrigtwohill stations. More locations to align with strategic land use a future significant commercial or hi-tech traffic from on suburban rail fre uency modest housing growth is anticipated planning objectives of both Cork City industrial development. Blackpool/Kilbarry Support future development Carrigtwohill Carrigtwohill Midleton TO ER of Tivoli ocks West at Glounthane and Little Island, with Council and Cork County Council: AC POO Glounthaune MA FIE MI ETON the latter location likely to experience Midleton / Cobh- Cork Line: Rail Freight Dunkettle further employment growth for uses not NOC NAHEENE Kent • Tivoli Docks; The Strategy recognises the potential Support Future Development Station compatible with high density urban living. for rail freight, which will be taken into • Dunkettle; Little Island Improve Signal operations consideration in investment proposals Tivoli The consolidation of activity within a 1km • Water Rock; relating to rail. 5 min Fota catchment boundary of existing stations • Ballynoe; and fre uency along the railway catchment will create P&R to accomodate traf c • Carrigtwohill West. Supporting Infrastructure Key Station Interchange AC ROC better linkages with the town centres and from and on The enhanced Cork Suburban Rail services A INCO IG Through running of suburban services at min frequenc uburban ail stations, support the viability of the rail ew paltform on southern side of station corridor and provide a strong justification Mallow-Cork Line: will require the following supporting nterchange with ight ail Transit and core bus services infrastructure: mprove ISHOPSTO N signal operations 10 min for the enhancement of existing services. • Blackpool / Kilbarry; OUG AS fre uency PASSAGE EST • Monard; and The provision of high quality walking, Station Enhancements and Support future development Carrigaloe • Blarney / Stoneview. cycling, local bus services and (where Improvements and interchange with local FRAN FIE appropriate) the enhancement of Park Improvements to stations are required as bus servicesd These stations will support primarily Ballynoe and Rail facilities to support commuters part of the Strategy to enable the efficient residential-led mixed use development from a much wider catchment area is of and effective operation of the proposed LEGEND - T covering both brownfield land within Cork CO H paramount importance. rail services. The quality, appearance, MON STO N City and Metropolitan towns and identified Cobh xisting Train tations cleanliness and security of stations is COR greenfield sites in UEAs. To ensure that rail AIRPORT Though outside the scope of CMATS, important for rail passenger satisfaction. Rushbrooke becomes an attractive and logical mode the Strategy notes a relatively high level At a minimum, all stations, both new and roposed Train tations of travel for a growing commuter belt, of out-commuting from the Mallow area existing will be fully accessible for those with railway stations should be developed in ail orridor and Cork County Council’s intention to reduced mobility, wheelchairs or buggies, tandem with the first phase of residential consolidate future housing development be equipped with upgraded smart ticketing development and in place before RINGAS I ark ide tation within the town’s development boundary. facilities, have comfortable waiting areas substantial occupation. and provide accurate real time information for both trains and supporting buses. HITEGATE CARRIGA INE 66 CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY
In line with best practice, secure and Bypass loops will enable suburban trains Electrification or Alternatively The recent reorientation of sheltered cycling parking will be provided to stop at the new stations without Fueling of the Suburban Rail Kent Station will facilitate a as near as possible to the station impacting on the efficient operation of the Network entrance without impacting on pedestrian Inter-City rail service. more seamless interchange CMATS supports the electrification of comfort levels. The provision of bicycle rail services that would result in higher between Rail, Light Rail sharing schemes to support linked trips Double Track to Midleton performance, lower maintenance and BusConnects, as well as is also required. To accommodate the increase in rail costs, lower energy costs and reduced services to/from Midleton, the existing improved pedestrian and cycle emissions. The lower air and noise Kent Station single track between Glounthaune and emissions are critical to support residential access to City Centre and A new platform is proposed for Kent Midleton will be required to be upgraded amenity of new development consolidated South Docklands. Station to utilise the existing passing loop to a double track*. There is currently around the railway corridor. The NDP to the south. This platform will provide a 2km long section of double track at commits to the electrification of suburban access to three parallel lines through Carrigtwohill that can be extended. rail lines in Dublin under the DART Kent Station and allow cross city services Expansion Programme by 2027. A similar between Mallow and Midleton and Cobh Signalling Improvements commitment for the Cork Suburban rail to run efficiently without impacting on the Signalling improvements will be required network would be likely to take place over Inter-City service. to facilitate the increased services the latter half of the Strategy. and avoid delays and conflicts on the The recent reorientation of Kent Station line interactions. In particular signal An alternative to the full electrification of will facilitate a more seamless interchange improvements will be required at Kent the suburban rail network could be to between Rail, Light Rail and BusConnects, Station, Mallow Station, Glounthane examine the feasibility of a fleet upgrade as well as improved pedestrian and cycle Junction, and proposed bypass loops. to hydrogen and/or battery powered access to the City Centre and South trains. While providing similar benefits Docklands. A significant improvement Signal Control Centre to a standard electrification network this to the legibility and wayfinding signage Iarnród Éireann currently operates a type of electric train does not require the around the station is proposed to facilitate Centralised Traffic Control Centre in significant network wide retrofitting of visitors alighting at Kent Station. Connolly Station, which controls much electrification infrastructure such as power of the rail network in Ireland - including supply, bridge alterations etc. that would Cobh Station the Cork suburban network. The NDP normally be required. A second platform is needed at Cobh commits to completing a new National Station to cater for the projected increase Train Control Centre over the lifetime of This has the potential to save significant in train numbers required to provide the the plan. This will be required to cater for costs on the electrification of the suburban enhanced level of service proposed under immediate and future control requirements rail network. Hydrogen powered trains the Strategy. of the rail network. are about to be passenger tested in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK. Passing Loops Rail Depot To avoid impacting on the Inter-City Given the proposed increase in suburban rail services between Cork and Dublin, fleet numbers and the existing constraints passing loops are likely to be required at all in Kent Station, consideration will be given suburban stations on the Mallow Line at: to the requirement for a new rail depot for Blackpool/Kilbarry; stabling and maintenance of the fleet. Monard station; and Blarney/Stoneview. * Subject to compliance with EU habitats and/or Birds Directives CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 67
EXAMPLE OF MULTI-MODALINTERCHANGE AT KENT STATION WITH BRIDGE ACCESS TO THE SOUTH DOCS LIGHT RAIL
PASSENGERS JOURNEY TIMES AND DISTANCE
per per direction per hour at direction per hour at Carrying 2 min headway 5 min headway from Ballincollig from Mahon Point from Ballincollig per annum to St. Patrick’s to St. Patrick’s to Mahon AM P P Street Street Point C L R 20 0 L L 20 2 L R L 20 2
BUS NETWORK & VEHICLES L . required for Similar Light Rail vehicle to Dublin Luas eet. R N between Ballincollig Cork City Centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands and Mahon Point.
LRT LRT
CONNECTING CITY & SUBURB COST ESTIMATE
C C R N K with Cork Light Rail Network and providing to/from Light Rail in am Strategy cost estimate peak hour. is approximately LIGHT RAIL CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 69
PASSENGERS JOURNEY TIMES AND DISTANCE
10 LIGHT RAIL per per direction per hour at direction per hour at Carrying 2 min headway 5 min headway from Ballincollig from Mahon Point from Ballincollig per annum to St. Patrick’s to St. Patrick’s to Mahon AM P P The development of an east-west mass Achieving Compact Growth The LRT will link with a strategic Park and Street Street Point C L R 20 0 Key future growth enablers transit, rapid transport corridor has been a The provision of LRT system will be a focal Ride station near Ballincollig to reduce cross- long-term objective for the CMA articulated by city trips. The LRT will also facilitate greater L L 20 2 for Cork include: The point to enable the growth of population, development of a much the joint Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) and employment health and education uses levels of walking and cycling as part of L R L 20 2 a number of statutory development plans and as envisaged by the NPF 2040. The LRT linked trips with public transport and reduce enhanced Citywide local area plans of both local authorities. system is a key enabler in CMATS. The LRT transport related noise and emissions. public transport system is required to: The commitment to examining the feasibility Proposed Route BUS NETWORK & VEHICLES to incorporate subject to of such a route is confirmed by the Unlock strategic development areas in its The topography and distribution of existing publication of both the National Planning further analysis, proposals catchment area including the Cork City trip generators and attractors, combined with Framework (NPF) 2040 and the National Docks, Curraheen, Ballincollig and Mahon; the proposed development opportunity areas L for an east-west corridor Development Plan 2018-2027 and a recent . within Cork City and its suburbs, indicate the required for Maximise the development potential of Similar Light Rail vehicle to Dublin Luas eet. from Mahon, through the upsurge in planning developments and desirability for a linear route from Ballincollig R N windfall sites; between Ballincollig Cork City City Centre to Ballincollig. interest in key sites along the corridor has in the west to Mahon in the east, via Cork Centre, Kent Station, Cork provided further momentum to to determine Provide greater certainty for future planning City Centre. The following locations are Docklands and Mahon Point. National Planning Framework 2040 the feasibility of such a route. and development, to pursue higher densities required to be within the catchment area of required to meet NPF population and the future light-rail system: Following detailed analysis of projected employment targets for Cork City; travel demand within the CMA, this Underpin the planned expansion of Ballincollig; LRT LRT LRT P Strategy has determined that the East-West University College Cork (UCC), Cork Transit Corridor is best served through The proposed Cork Science and RT an A ance us Institute of Technology (CIT) and Cork the provision of a new Light Rail Transit Innovation Park (CSIP); Route Align ent Stu y University Hospital (CUH). (LRT) tram system. This analysis marks a Cork Institute of Technology (CIT); Enable car-free and low car development departure from previous proposals for a Cork University Hospital (CUH); CONNECTING CITY & SUBURB COST ESTIMATE lower capacity Bus Rapid transport (BRT) within its catchment in line with recent changes to government policy outlined University College Cork (UCC); Safeguar ing of Route system to reflect the more ambitious growth C C targets of the NPF and the requirement to in the NPF and Sustainable Apartment Cork City Centre; guidelines; R N K with future-proof such a route up to and beyond, Kent Station / Cork North Docklands; Cork Light Rail Network and providing to/from Light Rail in am Strategy cost estimate the 2040 horizon year. Reduce reliance on the N40 in particular, Cork South Docklands; and peak hour. is approximately for short trips within the Metropolitan Area; Running of high fre uency Mahon. East est us Route The LRT will be preceded by a high- frequency bus service between Mahon The LRT route will serve a wide range of and Ballincollig. This will be delivered in the existing and future destinations including Measures will not be introduced in isolation short-term to underpin higher development employment, institutional and retail uses, but only after due consideration of the impacts on access and movement across the City and Realisation of RT densities along the corridor including the facilitate modal shift away from the private regeneration of the Cork City Docks. car for short trips and free up capacity on suburbs and in parallel with the introduction of arterial roads for bus services. necessary appropriate alternatives to service affected traffic movements. EXAMPLE OF LIGHT RAIL SHARING SPACE WITH GREENWAY AT BLACKROCK BRIDGE Light Rail Route Alignment
ARNE P L R ashington Street ROO O GE
TO ER
G ANMIRE AC POO K I nterchange with inter urban and suburban rail ew bridge MA FIE from ent tation to outh ocklands NOC NAHEENE P C C K of Cork ocklan s
E of tertiary e ucation corri or P OC AN S C C C A IN OUGH C GREENMOUNT AC ROC P L R sharing ith Green ay C M I C P R P C T I ISHOPSTO N P ROCHESTO N PASSAGE EST P R to accomodate traffic from on ight ail FRAN FIE
LE EN T
ight ail Transit T
T top
ark ide ation
Train ation COR AIRPORT All routes and alignments are indicative and subject to change through the statutory scheme appraisal process. EXAMPLE OF LIGHT RAIL ON WASHINGTON STREET CORK METROPOLITAN AREA | TRANSPORT STRATEGY 73
Determination of the final LRT route A station to serve a dedicated strategic Park Consideration of constraints offered The Cork Transport Strategy alignment and depot location at the and Ride facility to the west of Ballincollig by potential relocation of underground will evaluate the potential earliest possible stage is required to town centre and UAE is proposed to services, impact of waterways and of a Bus Rapid Transit or inform the review of the current Cork facilitate commuters arriving from the N22. basements under the city centre streets; Light Rail corridor to serve City Development Plan in early 2019. Consideration of tram turning radii The final alignment is needed to maximise To serve predicted level of passenger within the constrained Cork City street the increased population the ability to provide appropriate densities demand to 2040, a total of 27 tram vehicles network; and for development sites along the route providing an initial frequency of light rail growth as envisaged by the Provision of depot(s) for housing, and and to avoid conflict with emerging trains running at a headway of every National Planning Framework. on-going management and maintenance development proposals. 5 minutes is proposed, with an hourly of the LRT trams. National Development Plan 2018-2027 capacity of 4,600pax/hr/dir. This level of In the absence of an alternative route, an service provides medium to long term Delivery of the LRT alignment immediately adjacent to the capacity resilience and can be revised This light rail scheme is planned for existing Old Passage West Line greenway upwards (or downwards) depending on the delivery, subject to the necessary is proposed by CMATS to overcome the stage of the development cycle. development consolidation, to support steep topographical constraint created by the appraisal, planning and design for the escarpment. This should not preclude LRT Design and Other Considerations provision of such a high capacity corridor the development of alternative alignment The following outlines some of the in the latter period of the period of the options through a required feasibility study. infrastructural key challenges to be Strategy as envisaged by the NDP. Should the feasibility study confirm this route, addressed in the design of the LRT system. the LRT alignment should take all necessary The following list is not intended to be However, the LRT should be delivered measures to ensure that the greenway retains exhaustive but provides some high-level earlier should it become apparent that the its current attractiveness for pedestrians and considerations for the LRT: appropriate development densities will be cyclists, including consideration of widening Maximising connectivity to existing achieved sooner than anticipated. A the existing pathway to maintain comfortable centres of activity and future growth potentially early delivery time frame passing widths. areas through a clear and legible local underlines the importance of undertaking walking, cycling and bus network. the route feasibility process to be Application of appropriate safeguards to Providing safe pedestrian links to undertaking the route feasibility process at the agreed final route and the application of proposed Park and Ride stations; the earliest possible stage. appropriate development densities to ensure Maximising opportunities to provide higher the long-term feasibility of the route by the densities along the final route alignment; Advance Bus Provision relevant local authority will be required. Provision of a dedicated bridge crossing In advance of the development of the LRT, and to allow the development consolidation Stations and Frequency of the River Lee to provide access to support its delivery, this route will be Approximately 25 stations will be required between Kent Station and Cork served with a high frequency bus service to serve this high level route between South Docklands; with bus priority measures to enable a Ballincollig and Mahon Point, providing an Maximising opportunities to provide high level of performance in advance of estimated total journey time of 47 minutes. car-free and low-car development within its transition to light rail. During the early These stations will serve a catchment area 1km catchment of the corridor; period of the Strategy, it is intended to of all existing and proposed key adjoining Consideration of the impact on the identify and protect an alignment for the development areas and provide interchange streetscape and public realm of Cork light rail scheme, allowing development with InterCity and suburban rail services City from power supply cables and consolidation along the corridor. EXAMPLE OF BUS CORRIDOR PROVIOSION ON at Kent station plus proposed Bus feeder pillars at the earliest design of the WASHINGTON STREET, IN ADVANCE OF LIGHT RAIL Connects services. LRT route and alignment;