12 November 2017
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin TD, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has urged Government to look seriously at the issue of Light Rail in Cork, along the lines of a LUAS in Cork
The Cork South Central TD has made the call in his submission to the National Planning Framework.
He also emphasised the need for additional investment in Road, and Industrial Infrastructure.
“If I was to emphasise one key point in this document, it is the following – Cork needs Light Rail”
“I think in the context of an expanding city and the forthcoming development of the north and south docks, this has to be considered. Development of such a system will take many years so there is no sense in leaving it until the last minute. We must be forward planning and show some vision.”
“The huge volumes of traffic coming into the city from areas like Carrigaline, Douglas and Ballincollig, are scarcely manageable as is.
This will only escalate. While there are road projects that can alleviate this, public transport has to be a part of this. We need to take cars off the road. It would have enormous potential and could revitalise areas of the city, transforming Cork into a modern, significant, European city.”
“We urgently need a feasibility study into the revamp of Cork’s public transport network.”
“This will be central to delivering the growth needed- and delivering the full potential of the Docks. It is not possible to hold all the additional population growth in traffic alone. We need Rail
This project could take many years to plan and deliver – in order to actually deliver it, we need a commitment soon. ”
“The length of the City and surrounding built up areas will soon be over 30km – clearly better public transport is urgently needed. This could service any number of routes. For example, Monard – Tower- Blarney – Blackpool –City, or Carrigaline- Douglas – City or Ballincollig – Bishopstown – City. This is to name but a few.”
“Cork needs this kind of vision. This will be central to delivering the growth needed- and delivering the full potential of the Docks. It is not possible to hold all the additional population growth in traffic alone. We need Rail.”
Deputy Ó Laoghaire had previously raised this issue with Minister Shane Ross, but was advised “There are currently no plans to develop a light rail system in Cork.”
