Planning permission set to be granted for new Blackpool Station

Blackpool Station will provide a sustainable transport option for both existing and future local communities, supporting the regeneration of the wider Blackpool area and complementing the established rail services serving the eastern side of the city.

Located near the site of the historic Blackpool Station and bounded by Dublin Hill Road and Redforge Road, the new station will:

• Be served by up to 10 trains daily, with ambition to further increase service levels following the completion of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
• Feature two platforms connected by a pedestrian footbridge, with access from either side of the railway via stairs and fully accessible lifts and also supporting integration with the adjoining established commercial and residential areas
• Provide accessible parking spaces, EV charging points, motorcycle parking, bus, taxi and car set-down areas, bicycle stands, and bicycle lockers.
• Include the infrastructure required to support future electrification.

Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann said of the milestone: “Accelerated delivery of a new station at Blackpool ensures we can provide a more sustainable transport option for Blackpool, Kilbarry and surrounding communities in advance of completion of the overall rail investment in Cork. The first of eight new stations, Blackpool will be served initially by 10 trains daily with a further uplift in service envisioned upon completion of the wider programme. The station will provide a vital public transport connection to Blackpool Shopping Centre and the residential developments underway locally.”

Eoin Gillard, Assistant Director, Transport Investment at National Transport Authority added: “The National Transport Authority (NTA) welcomes the decision by Cork City Council to grant planning permission for the development of a new railway station at Blackpool. The proposed station forms a key element of the wider improvements envisaged under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), particularly in relation to the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.

The delivery of Blackpool Station will enhance public transport accessibility, support sustainable travel choices and help meet the growing transport needs of the Cork metropolitan area.

The NTA looks forward to continuing to work closely with Iarnród Éireann and other key stakeholders to advance the project through the next stages of development and delivery.”

The proposed station development is located on existing Iarnród Éireann lands, offering the opportunity for accelerated delivery and additional rail capacity north of the city ahead of the wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.

A planning application has also recently been lodged for a new station at Dunkettle, which is set to become a major park-and-ride facility served by both Cobh and Midleton rail services.

These two stations will be the first of eight delivered under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which will transform rail services across the Cork region by providing a ten-minute service frequency on the three commuter routes serving Cobh, Midleton, and Mallow.

The wider Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme includes the delivery of a new platform at Kent Station (now complete), twin-tracking between Glounthaune and Midleton (largely complete), and the re-signalling of the Cork commuter rail network, which is due for completion in 2027.

Iarnród Éireann also intends to submit a Railway Order application to An Coimisiún Pleanála by the end of this year for the electrification of the Cork rail network, the development of six additional stations, and the construction of a depot to support the new fleet.

Construction of both Blackpool and Dunkettle stations is expected to commence in 2027 and take up to two years to complete, subject to the necessary approvals and funding allocations.