The next light rail line in Ireland continues to progress with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) having recently announced the preferred route as they launch another public consultation into the plans. Luas Cork is a proposed route which would from Ballincollig to Mahon Point with key destinations such as MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork City Centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Blackrock, and Mahon being connected.<\/p>\n
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The preferred route announced ahead of this new consultation is similar to the Emerging Preferred Route (EPR) which was consulted on last year but has had some tweaks based on the results of that previous consultation.<\/p>\n
These changes are mainly aimed at improving access and reducing the impact to residents and businesses but it hasn\u2019t been possible to make all the changes requested by some respondents to the consultation.<\/p>\n
The biggest change to the route occurs at the northern end of Melbourn Road. Rather than continuing southwards on Melbourn Road and on to Curraheen Road, the route will now turn east and run uphill past Bishoptown Community School, Ballinaspig Lawn, Bisphoptown GAA, Highfield Rugby Club, Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Saint Columba\u2019s Covent and then through Cork University Hospital\u2019s campus. This new route will significantly improve the reliability of Luas and will also shorten journey times and provide excellent access for schools.<\/p>\n
The preferred route is also being moved further west through Ballincollig following suggestions in the consultation. This will widen the catchment area. It will still travel via Station Road but there are some changes made to improve access.<\/p>\n
The preferred route lists 27 proposed stops: Castle Road, Ballincollig West, Ballincollig Main Street, Carriganarra Road, Killumney Road, Clash Road (park and ride), (future stop), MTU, Melbourn Road, Bishopstown Avenue, CUH, Dennehy\u2019s Cross, Victoria Cross, UCC, Washington Street, St. Patrick\u2019s Street, MacCurtain Street, Kent Station,\u00a0Centre Park Road, Docklands, P\u00e1irc U\u00ed Chaoimh, Churchyard Lane, Well Road, Skehard Road, Skehard Lawn, Greenway, Mahon Point.<\/p>\n
The non-statutory public consultation launched on 17th<\/sup> April and will continue until 1730 on Friday 12th<\/sup> June 2026. There will also be four open days where attendees will be able to talk to members of the project team:<\/p>\n All information of the proposed line can be found on the website at https:\/\/www.luascork.ie\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The next light rail line in Ireland continues to progress with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) having recently announced the preferred route as they launch another public consultation into the plans. Luas Cork is a proposed route which would from Ballincollig … Continue reading \n