The National Transport Authority has announced that its draft Transport Strategy for the Cork Metropolitan Area report will be published for consultation in the near future, a move welcomed by North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea.
Particularly welcome, Cllr. O’Shea indicated, is the proposal for the development of suburban rail in Cork, including to Mallow. NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Cork Metropolitan Area report has been drafted in partnership with both Cork County Council and Cork City Council.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “The NTA has confirmed this month that this draft report will be published for consultation shortly, and the proposal within the report for the development of suburban rail in Cork, which would include Mallow, is certainly encouraging news. The NTA said that, once it has been adapted by both local authorities, it will bring forward an implementation plan for its strategy.”
The NTA also confirmed that it has looked into the possibility of bringing Mallow into the Leap zone for the Cork area, following representation by Cllr. O’Shea and other members of Cork County Council’s Northern Committee. However, the NTA’s chief executive confirmed to the Council that is unable to accommodate this particular change in the current year ‘given the likely revenue implications and following a number of other significant changes to the fare structures’.
Cllr. O’Shea added: “It is important to see what it included in the NTA’s draft Transport Strategy for the Cork Metropolitan Area report, and see how it could benefit Mallow in particular. I will continue to make representations for the Mallow area to the NTA with regards to ensuring that its regular rail passengers are considered in future development plans.”
