Taoiseach, EU Commissioner and Transport Ministers, NTA & Iarnród Éireann mark opening of new platform at Kent Station
Today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer joined NTA CEO Hugh Cregan and Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade to officially open the new platform 6 at Kent Station in Cork.
The €23 million platform project, funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), marks the beginning of the first phase of investment in Cork’s heavy rail network envisaged through the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
The opening of the platform marks the completion of the first in a series of interrelated projects being delivered under the overall programme, potentially worth over €1 billion, and ultimately facilitating up to a 10-minute service frequency for the Cork rail network.
The first phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme incorporates the new platform, together with the RRF-funded Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track and Cork area signalling and communications upgrade projects, which are both set for completion in 2026. This phase will deliver the network capacity to allow for significant increase in train service frequency on each of Cork’s three commuter lines: to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow. These projects will ensure that Cork is equipped with the rail network to support the city and county’s development, rail service expansion and new stations envisaged under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) and in the longer term, as part of Phase 2, the potential future electrification of the Cork commuter rail network.
The new 220-metre-long platform, designed by AECOM and built by John Cradock Ltd, will support increased service frequency via the new platform 5b to the north side and platform 6 to the south side.
Services using the new platforms will be introduced on a phased basis. Initially, some Intercity and Midleton services will operate to and from the platform and some through services from Midleton to Mallow will be introduced over the coming months.
Once fully delivered, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme will support the following over the longer-term:
The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme is a transformative rail improvement programme for the Cork rail network. Delivering increased train capacity and frequency, providing for more connected communities and a more sustainable transport network. The programme represents the largest ever investment in the Cork commuter rail network and will deliver the vision set out by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS). Further information on the first three work packages that will be delivered can be found on the project pages on the Iarnród Éireann website, and details of the planning process for new stations, new fleet depot and electrification are also available.
“The opening of this new platform marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the largest ever investment in the Cork rail network. It is a fundamental step in achieving not only improved rail transport capacity and frequency, but also in providing a more accessible, efficient and reliable rail service for the people of Cork.”
“Works are also well underway on the twin tracking of the Glounthaune to Midleton line and a significant signalling upgrade – two other elements of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. These projects, along with the new platform, will lay the foundation for further future enhancements of Cork rail services.”
“The progress of the programme, along with other significant transport projects like BusConnects Cork and Cork Luas, highlights this Government’s commitment to delivering significant investment in the transport. Today is the first of many public transport projects we look forward to delivering over the lifetime of this Government.”
Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said:
“Today marks a significant step in advancing Cork’s rail infrastructure, with the opening of the new Platform 6 at Kent Station. This €23 million investment, supported by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, will not only increase the capacity and frequency of services, but it will also play a key role in creating a more sustainable and integrated transport network for the people of Cork. It is a testament to the crucial impact of EU funding in building greener, more resilient transport solutions that benefit communities and economies alike.”
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to see the new Kent Station platform today, and have a close-up view of the very first phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. This project will bring great benefit to the people of Cork and all who travel around this beautiful county, not only by making public transport more comfortable and efficient, but by increasing the variety of travel options available and reducing our dependency on cars. That in turn will help us reach our decarbonisation goals”.
“The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is one of many public transport projects my Department intends to support, with a view to improving public transport across the country in the years ahead, to the benefit of passengers and society alike.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer said:
“I am delighted that the new platform as part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Phase 1 project is now built and ready to make travel better for the people of Cork. I look forward to the next stages of this project as we seek to provide a more frequent and convenient commuter train service in Cork. As a Cork TD, I am proud of this Government’s commitment to investing in the city.”
Hugh Cregan Acting CEO NTA said:
“Investment in rail has been a key component in the implementation of CMATS strategy, and it’s great to see this aspect of the Cork Area Commuter Rail project being completed.”
“We look forward to the increased service levels that will be facilitated by this investment in Kent Station and NTA will work closely with Iarnród Éireann to deliver that for customers in Cork.”
Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail Chief Executive Jim Meade said:
“I congratulate Iarnród Éireann’s Cork Area Commuter Rail programme team for delivering so swiftly the first of the initial three CACR projects, and their continued progress with the wider programme. The success we are seeing in Cork is testament to the partnership approach we take to delivering improved public transport for our communities and commuters. We are supported by and work in partnership with the European Union’s EURRF; by Government, the Department of Transport and the NTA; with Cork City Council and County Council and with a range of stakeholders and contractors. This ensures we can deliver in an integrated, efficient and customer-focused way the type of transport improvements essential to support our economy, environment and society for generations to come.
| Phase 1 – Projects underway | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Kent Station Platform |
|
| Signalling & Communications Project |
|
| Glounthaune to Midleton Twin-Track Project |
|
| Phase 2 – Potential Developments | Current Status |
| New Stations (and existing station improvements),
New Fleet Depot, Electrification |
|
