Cork Commuter Rail

Phase 1 of this project was the provision of a commuter rail service from Mallow to Midleton, through Cork City. The main element of the project involves the reopening of the railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton, with new stations at Carrigtwohill and Midleton. Phase 1 was fully completed in 2009. The €75 million investment in the Midleton line included upgrading track on the previously disused Glounthaune to Midleton line, provision of a new signalling system, construction of two new stations at Midleton and Carrigtwohill, the replacement of a range of level crossings and other infrastructure work.

Phase 2 involves the opening of new stations on the existing line Blarney, Kilbarry and Dunkettle.

The Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) proposed opening up the Eastern part of the city and county to housing and commercial development. The CASP studies indicated that rail transport offered the most effective solution for Cork commuter needs generally, but especially in relation to the geographically restricted access to the city from the East. On this basis, Iarnród Éireann examined the business case for the re-opening of the line to Midleton and also for the provision of additional stations along the existing network.  This project is seen as a flagship for all future rail based solutions to transport as it links a land use strategy with transport development. 

Phase 1   2009

Phase 2    Additional stations

On 5 April 2007, the Minister for Transport signed the Railway Order in respect of the Glounthaune-Midleton Rail Project. Construction commenced in February 2008 with a target completion date of summer 2009. The line was formally opened by the Minister for Transport on 30 July 2009 and regular services are now operating on the line. There is the potential to expand services in the future to every 15 minutes, as demand increases. For further details  click here. 

Phase 2 - postponed pending revised allocations of capital funding available.