Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track Project
Iarnród Éireann plans to upgrade the existing rail line between Glounthaune and Midleton to enhance commuter services into and out of Cork city. The Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track project covers the area of the network from Cobh Junction to Midleton Station, a total distance of approximately 10km, and will see the upgrading of the existing line to twin track over its entire length.
The Twin Tracking of the Glounthaune to Midleton railway will be part of the first packages of work undertaken by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to deliver the commuter rail vision as set out in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040.
The project will help facilitate an ultimate tripling of service frequency along the line. Along with the completion of the new Kent Station Through Platform, the Proposed Signalling and Communications upgrades and the delivery of a new fleet, Twin Tracking between Glounthaune to Midleton will facilitate a tripling of service frequency along the line while also ensuring a more reliable service for commuters and other rail users to and from the city.
What are the benefits for rail users?
This project will see a second rail track installed along the existing Glounthaune to Midleton line. The delivery of this project along with the completion of the new Kent Station Through Platform, the Proposed Signalling and Communications upgrades and the delivery of a new fleet will facilitate:
- Operation of a higher frequency service up to a 10-minute service from the current 30-minute service
- Increased capacity, better connectivity, and enhanced reliability of the suburban rail network
- Shorter wait times
What works are required?
The main element of the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track project consists of the provision of a second track over the full extent of the line. These works will largely be contained within the existing railway corridor and will include the following:
- Addition of 2nd track over the full extent of the line;
- Addition of sidings/turn back facilities at Midleton;
- Modification/replacement of bridges and level crossings to facilitate the twin tracking
- Associated signalling upgrades and alterations;
- All associated civil works (retaining walls, boundary treatments, etc.).
All works completed as part of the project will be compatible with future electrification of the Cork Area Commuter Rail network.
While there will be some disruption to services during construction of the new track, this will be kept to a minimum.
Next Steps
A Railway Order application was granted by An Bord Pleanála in November 2023 to construct a proposed second rail track along the 10km railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton. BAM were the successful tenderer awarded the contract for the civil works. Construction commenced in Autumn 2024. The twin-tracking is expected to be completed by late 2026.
The Railway Order documentation can be found at gmttrailwayorder.ie
FAQs
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While there will be some disruption to services during construction of the new track, this will be kept to a minimum. Commuters and local residents will be made aware of any changes to services in advance of construction.
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This project will see a second rail track installed along the existing Glounthaune to Midleton line. The delivery of this project along with the completion of the new Kent Street Station Through Platform, the Proposed Signalling and Communications upgrades and the delivery of a new fleet will facilitate:
- Operation of a higher frequency service up to a 10-minute service from the current 30-minute service
- Increased capacity, better connectivity, and enhanced reliability of the suburban rail network
- Shorter wait times
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There are three existing level crossings along the Glounthaune to Midleton route where rail and road traffic interface, these are located at Ford, Mill Road and Water Rock.
The project is proposing to close Ford level crossing as initial assessments undertaken have shown that usage of this crossing is minimal and that it is no longer required.
Water Rock and Mill Road level crossings will remain open. Initial assessments of these level crossings have indicated that they can continue to operate while still providing a more efficient service overall. The proposed increase in train service frequency will mean the level crossing gates will need to close more often throughout the day. Further details around opening and closure times as well as outputs from traffic analysis undertaken as part of the project planning will be presented as part of the Railway Order Application.
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The Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track project covers the area of the network from Cobh Junction to Midleton Station, a total distance of approximately 10km, and will see the upgrading of the existing line to twin track over its entire length. The project will help facilitate an ultimate tripling of service frequency along the line.
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The main element of the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track project consists of the provision of a second track over the full extent of the line. These works will largely be contained within the existing railway corridor and will include the following:
- Addition of 2nd track over the full extent of the line;
- Addition of sidings/turn back facilities at Midleton;
- Modification/replacement of bridges and level crossings to facilitate the twin tracking
- Associated signalling upgrades and alterations;
- All associated civil works (retaining walls, boundary treatments, etc.).
All works completed as part of the project will be compatible with future electrification of the Cork Area Commuter Rail network.
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The Railway Order was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in November 2022, and granted in November 2023. Information can be found at gmttrailwayorder.ie
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The Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Tracking is one of seven individual but interconnected projects being progressed as part of the
Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
The Kent Station Through Platform project which will see the construction of a new platform at Kent Station, the Signalling and Communications Upgrade project which will see an upgrading of Signalling and Communications for the network and the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track project are being progressed in tandem and started construction in 2023.
The remaining Work Packages will be progressed in the coming years. The overall programme will develop and enhance the rail network from Mallow through Cork to Cobh and Midleton and will include the delivery of new rail infrastructure and electrification and re-signalling across the 3 main lines of Mallow, Cobh and Glounthaune to Midleton. The Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme is the heavy rail element of CMATS and is a transformative rail improvement programme for the Cork Rail Network. Delivering increased train capacity and frequency, providing for more connected communities and a more sustainable transport network, the project represents the largest ever investment in the Cork Rail Network.
More information on Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 and the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme can be found at
Cork Area Commuter Rail.
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All information on the Glounthaune to Midleton Twin Track Project can be found at
gmttrailwayorder.ie
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With the population of the Cork City region projected to double by 2040, improving the public transport infrastructure is essential to support this growth, provide increase train capacity and a more frequent and reliable service overall. A second track along the route will facilitate a potential tripling of service from the current 30-minute service frequency to a 10-minute service frequency.
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Much of the project works will be undertaken within the existing railway corridor, however, some land acquisition will be required to accommodate the additional track. The project team will notify and continue regular contact with all landowners adjacent to the existing track and will consult with individual landowners where land acquisition may be required.
The project team will be available throughout the process to ensure landowners are regularly updated on project proposals and answer any queries that may arise. The project team can be contacted using
GMTT@irishrail.ie.
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This information can be found in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) at
gmttrailwayorder.ie
Project Funding
The project is funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has been developed by the Government so that Ireland can access funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ireland is expected to receive €988 million in grants under the Facility.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the largest component of NextGenerationEU, the European Union’s response to the global pandemic. The aim is to help repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the pandemic and to prepare for a post-Covid Europe that is greener, more digital, more resilient and fit to face the future.
