You Kent stop progress
A new €23 million platform has been officially opened at Kent Railway Station in Cork city marking the start of the largest ever investment in the Cork rail network.
The opening of 220 metre platform marks the beginning of the first phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, a series of interrelated projects potentially worth over €1 billion.
The first phase incorporates the new platform, together with the Glounthaune to Midleton twin-track and Cork area signalling and communications upgrade projects, which are both set for completion in 2026.
Once completed, the first phase will deliver the network capacity to allow for significant increase in train service frequency on each of Cork’s three commuter lines - Cobh, Midleton and Mallow - with a goal of 10 minute service frequencies for each line.
It is expected that the projects will ensure that Cork is equipped with the rail network to support the city and county’s development.
Services using the new platforms will be introduced on a phased basis. Initially, some Intercity and Midleton services will operate to and from the platform and some through services from Midleton to Mallow will be introduced over the coming months.
Once fully delivered, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme will support a number of long-term services.
These include a “turn up and ride” service with up to a 10-minute frequency, delivering more capacity and a better customer experience for all rail users, as well as an additional fleet and fleet maintenance depot to provide the rolling stock to meet existing and future passenger demand.
Launching to new platform this week were an Taoiseach Micheál Martin, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer joined Iarnród Éireann CEO Jim Meade.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the opening of the new platform marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the largest ever investment in the Cork rail network.
He said: “It is a fundamental step in achieving not only improved rail transport capacity and frequency, but also in providing a more accessible, efficient, and reliable rail service for the people of Cork.
“Works are also well underway on the twin tracking of the Glounthaune to Midleton line and a significant signalling upgrade - two other elements of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
“These projects, along with the new platform, will lay the foundation for further future enhancements of Cork rail services,” Mr Martin added.
Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath said: “This €23 million investment, supported by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility, will not only increase the capacity and frequency of services, but it will also play a key role in creating a more sustainable and integrated transport network for the people of Cork.
“It is a testament to the crucial impact of EU funding in building greener, more resilient transport solutions that benefit communities and economies alike,” said the Minister.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer said he looks forward to the next stages of the project. “I am delighted that the new platform as part of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Phase 1 project is now built and ready to make travel better for the people of Cork.
“As a Cork TD, I am proud of this Government’s commitment to investing in the city,” he added. Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive Jim Meade said: “The success we are seeing in Cork is testament to the partnership approach we take to delivering improved public transport for our communities and commuters.”
The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme is a transformative rail improvement programme for the Cork rail network. The programme aims to deliver the vision set out by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).
The first phase of the programme, which includes the newly opened platform at Kent Station, is funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility (EURRF).