6th January 2014
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Following a successful funding procedure, the Port of Cork has been
awarded funding by the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The
Port of Cork, described as a future Core Network port by TEN-T, plays
a key strategic role in the movement of goods to and from the UK and
Continental Europe. This funding will assist in ensuring the Port of
Cork meets future connectivity needs and will support the development
of the wider regional and national economy which is of key importance
to Cork.
It is anticipated that in the first quarter of 2014 and following
public consultation, the Port of Cork will lodge a planning
application to An Bord Pleanala for the future development of port
facilities in Ringaskiddy.
The proposed developments are the first phase of the Port of Cork’s
Strategic Development Plan Review (2010), the core principles of which
were endorsed in the National Ports Policy launched in 2013. This
Policy also identified the continued commercial development of the
Port of Cork Company as a key strategic objective.
Speaking about the proposed developments and the recently secured
funding, Mr Denis Healy, Manager Engineering Services, Port of Cork
said: “This TEN-T funding endorses the Port of Cork’s plans for future
development and securing connectivity for the region. The general
objective of the TEN-T is to modernise transport infrastructure and
this objective sits in line with the Port of Cork’s need to improve
and ensure future port facilities.”
He continued: “The funding will go towards the achievement of the
required statutory consents and the preparation of designs for
developments, primarily at Ringaskiddy, but also at Marino Point and
Tivoli. It also opens up the opportunity for further EU supports for
the implementation phase of the project under the new Connecting
Europe Facility (CEF).”
The Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA),
established by the European Commission, is responsible for managing
the technical and financial implementation of the Trans-European
Transport Network (TEN-T) programme, one of the most important means
of infrastructure funding.
Its mission is to support the European Commission and TEN-T project
managers and promoters, by ensuring the technical and financial
management of the projects and the successful implementation of the
TEN-T Programme.
