Planning permission sought for new bus interchange

Planning permission is currently being sought for the development of a major new bus interchange in Cork city.

Cork City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are seeking planning permission for the new bus interchange at the Black Ash Park and Ride off the South City Link Road.

The proposed interchange will allow for the expansion of bus services accessing the Park and Ride and will facilitate the introduction of six new bus routes.

The existing no 213 Park and Ride bus service, which travels two-way from Black Ash to St Patrick’s St, and which celebrated 20 years of service a few months ago, will continue to operate during the site upgrade works.

The proposal comes as part of BusConnects Cork which, when fully implemented, is hoped will deliver higher frequency services, better public transport coverage to areas currently without a bus service, and easier interchange between bus routes seven days a week.

Lord of Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle, said: “This planned interchange at the upgraded facility will allow passengers to seamlessly, conveniently, and safely transfer from one bus route to another or from their car or bike to any of the bus routes providing greater public transport coverage to key destinations across the network.”

It’s proposed that Route 6 from Grange Road, Douglas Road to UCC would use the planned interchange, as would Route 13 from Cork Airport to Kent Railway Station. Route 14 from Mahon Point to CUH would also pass through Black Ash, as would hourly Route 23 service, which begins at Old Youghal Road through Ballyphenane. Route 42x from Fountainstown/ Carrigaline would travel to Kent Station on an hourly service via the interchange, as would the 13b from Kinsale.

As part of the proposal, four new bus bays, new entrance and exit points onto the Mick Barry Road, new bus shelters, seating, and sheltered bike parking would all be developed at the facility, providing safe walkways for pedestrians moving around the site.

Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie O’Sullivan said: “The proposed Black Ash interchange is a key element of the wider Bus Connects Cork scheme and it demonstrates the integrated nature of this project which is aimed at providing regular, reliable and integrated public transport services as well as enhanced walking, cycling and bus infrastructure."

NTA Chief Executive, Hugh Creegan said: “Delivering a new bus interchange at Black Ash will help support the rollout of our new bus network planned for Cork. Working closely with our partners in Cork City Council, we want to make travel by bus a more convenient option for people who are travelling to work, going to college or doing business in the city."