Faster and more frequent trains coming to Cobh – O’Halloran

Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Little Island and Glounthaune will benefit from more frequent trains and faster journeys according to the new strategic rail review, under new plans presented by the Green Party this week. The plans are part of the Government’s strategy to make it faster to travel by train than by car for people across the country. Cliona O’Halloran praised the proposal as a key example of what sustainable development looks like; development that considers people, planet and economic growth.

The first All-Island Rail Review went to Cabinet on Tuesday. It sets out 30 recommendations for new routes, faster trains and more choice on existing routes. If fully implemented, the plan would increase the size of the rail network from 2,300km to 2,950km by opening new routes, particularly in the West and North of the island. This would bring 700,000 extra people to within 5km of a railway station. It will connect major cities and ports. 

Cliona O’Halloran said;

“This is a fantastic day for Cobh, Carrigtwohill, Little Island and Ghlaonthane. The increased number of trains on the Cork to Cobh/Midleton line will support population and economic growth in our community. By increasing the speed, frequency and routes of trains, rail travel will become more appealing to everybody living in our area and a strong competitor to car travel. Freight rail infrastructure is critical to any development of Marino Point. Access to Great Island, already in need of upgrade, cannot support additional road freight and therefore the connection of ports and major cities in the strategic rail review is welcome. I look forward to hearing the community’s thoughts on the review.”.

The Green Party measure will increase the speed of trains on the intercity railway network (Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford) to top speeds of 200km/h and increase regional and rural lines speeds to at least 120 km/h. Rail journeys between some major cities could be halved, which will ensure that is faster to travel by train than by car.

If the recommendations are implemented in full across the coming decades, it is estimated that it will cost €36.8bn in 2023 prices, with €27.6bn to be spent in the Republic of Ireland. If the investment is spread over 25 years, then it will cost approximately one billion euro per year, which is roughly equivalent to peak annual investment in the motorway network in the late 2000s.

Cliona is the local area representative for the Green Party, and candidate for local elections in May 2024. Cliona can be contacted via cliona.ohalloran@greenparty.ie.

The All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review can be accessed here – https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/4d4f2-all-island-strategic-rail-review-public-consultation-for-strategic-environment-assessment/