Construction partner choo-sen

A new platform extension is on track for Cork’s main train station.

Iarnród Éireann recently announced it has awarded construction partner John Cradock Ltd the contract for the construction of the new Kent Station through platform.

The company said it is the first of a series of separate but interrelated projects being progressed under the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) Programme to reach construction phase.

The project will see an extension to the existing platform 5 at Kent Station, which will deliver an extra platform to increase capacity at Kent Station and facilitate through running services.

Along with the completion of the Glounthaune to Midleton twin tracking, signalling and communications upgrades, the through platform will facilitate: • The capacity to treble train service frequency on the Cork network, dramatically increasing passenger capacity • improved passenger experience by providing direct services through Kent Station from Mallow and onto Midleton or Cobh • a more reliable service for commuters and other rail users to and from Cork city

Works being undertaken by John Cradock Ltd as part of the €8 million contract for this project include: • A 220m long, 6m wide, double sided extension to Platform 5. This will provide for the proposed new Platform 6 and allow ease of integration and connectivity to the existing station. • A new retaining wall between the new track six and the depot area on the south side. • Track reconfiguration to support future through running services and proposed service increases • Reinstatement of the eastern access to the existing station subway from Platform 5. Jim Meade, CEO of Iarnród Éireann said: “The construction of a through platform at Kent Station, along with the broader package of improvements that are planned for Cork, will significantly enhance and improve the existing rail infrastructure and offer public transport users a more efficient and reliable rail service.” Commenting on the project John Cradock, Managing Director, John Cradock Ltd said: “We look forward to delivering this challenging scheme, which is a key element of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail project, which will deliver significant benefit to the local community.”