Iarnród Éireann has published its intent to lodge a planning application for the development of a new train station at Blackpool in Cork, with an application for an additional new station at Dunkettle to follow within weeks.
The two new stations are the first of eight set to be delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which will transform rail services in the Cork region by building to a ten-minute frequency on three Commuter routes: Cork to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.
Blackpool will be served by trains on the Mallow to Cork route, with Dunkettle set to be a major park and ride served by both Cobh and Midleton trains, as services on all routes expand as new fleet is added to the Cork network.
AMBITIOUS DELIVERY
The full Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme works include the current projects delivering a new platform at Kent Station (complete), twin-tracking of Glouthaune to Midleton (to be finished in 2026) and re-signalling of the Cork Commuter network (complete 2027). Iarnród Éireann is also set to apply for planning, via a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year, for electrification of the Cork network, an additional six stations and a depot for the new fleet.
At Blackpool and Dunkettle, daily passenger journeys are expected to exceed 5,200 across these two locations by 2035. Enhancing the Cork rail network’s capacity and resilience via accelerated delivery of Blackpool and Dunkettle Stations is essential to supporting projected passenger numbers and promoting rail transport as a strong option to the private car.
The proposed station developments are located on existing Iarnród Éireann land offering the opportunity for accelerated development and additional rail capacity both north and east of the city in advance of delivery of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
PROPOSED DUNKETTLE STATION
A planning application will be lodged in the coming weeks for the proposed new station at Dunkettle. Identified within the Metropolitan Cork Strategic Planning Area, the new station will be strategically located near Dunkettle Interchange, providing easy access to major roads such as the M8 and N25, helping to ease congestion on this critical intersection and intercept traffic before it enters the city.
Bounded by the L3004 to the north and the N25 to the south and accessed via an existing access road located to the west connecting to North Esk Link Road, the new station will be served by two commuter lines providing an initial 15-minute service for Dunkettle catchment with a significant service uplift expected following completion of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme of works, up to every 5 minutes each way
The station will feature two platforms connection by a pedestrian footbridge from either side of the railway via stairs and accessible lifts, as well as the provision of a 300 space Park & Ride facility alongside the new station.
NTA Chief Executive, Anne Shaw said that the planned works will “support a growing city, eases pressure on the roads and delivers a network designed around the needs of passengers today and in the years ahead.”
Construction of the stations is expected to commence in 2027 and take up to two years to complete, subject to planning approvals and funding allocation.
