North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has welcomed a range of proposals that include incorporating Mallow rail station within a future Metropolitan Cork fare structure and platform improvements at Mallow, outlined in the Cork Metropolitan Area Draft Transport Strategy 2040.
Under the Cork Transport Strategy, it is envisaged that the number of journey’s undertaken by people using public transport in Cork will grow significantly between now and 2040. New stations and enhanced train services will see 20% of people and 30% of jobs within walking distance of the suburban rail network.
The draft strategy was published recently by The National Transport Authority, in association with Cork County Council, Cork City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the Cork Metropolitan Area over the next two decades.
Cllr. O’Shea said the draft strategy includes a number of proposals relating to Mallow, including to potentially include Mallow rail station within a future Metropolitan Cork fare structure. The draft strategy also notes that platform improvements may be required at Mallow station to mitigate the projected increase in suburban rail services impacting on the Inter-City Services between Cork, Kerry and Dublin.
Long terms proposals include increasing the number of through running services to Mallow up to six trains per hour to align with increases in suburban rail services and the consideration for the electrification of commuter rail lines between Mallow, Cobh and Midleton.
“I welcome the proposals for Mallow rail station in the draft strategy, as well as the wider proposals for Cork City and County, and I would strongly encourage members of the public to engage in the six-week public consultation process. This will include a number of public information days in June and the public will be able to submit submissions for consideration with a closing date of Friday, 28th June. Consultation material will be available to view at Cork City Hall and Cork County Hall for the duration of the consultation period,” Cllr. O’Shea said.
Documents can be viewed and downloaded at www.nationaltransport.ie/public-consultations/current/ and comments and feedback sent via website (www.nationaltransport.ie/public-consultations/current/), email (corktransport@nationaltransport.ie) and post (Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, Jacobs Transport Planning Team, Mahon Industrial Estate, Blackrock, Cork, Ireland).
