17 April 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Iarnród Éireann has submitted a planning permission application for a new platform at Limerick Junction Station, which will deliver improved journey times for services travelling and connecting through the Co Tipperary station.
Improved journey times of up to five minutes for Dublin to Cork/Kerry services, and of up to 11 minutes for Limerick to Cork/Dublin services due to improved connections will be delivered.
The new 240 metre platform for southbound services will remove the constraints and speed restrictions associated with the current single platform which caters for all Dublin to Cork/Kerry services in both directions. A new footbridge with high capacity lifts will be included, to cater for customers transferring to the new platform, and will be designed to the most up-to-date standards of accessibility.
The project represents an estimated €3.5 million investment in the station, and is expected to be completed by mid-2019 subject to planning permission being received. The works will be planned to take place with minimal impact on existing services.
This represents the latest phase in journey time improvement works, with ongoing track bed improvement works on the main Dublin/Cork line having seen improvement of 3 to 10 minutes to Dublin/Cork services, and 2 to 11 minutes to Dublin/Limerick services delivered in December 2017.
Current typical journey times between Dublin and Cork are 2 hours 25 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, with a best time of 2 hours 15 minutes. Dublin/Limerick services are typically 2 hours 5 minutes. The National Development Plan 2018-27, announced by the Government last month, commits to examining opportunities for further journey time improvements on major Intercity lines, including between Dublin and Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast.