Cork Chamber welcomes transport commitments for Cork and urges swift delivery

Cork Chamber, the voice of business in Cork, has welcomed the Government’s National Development Plan (NDP) Review 2025 sectoral investment plan for transport and the significant commitments it includes for the region. The advancement of rail, light rail, road, bus, and active travel projects represents an important step towards enhancing connectivity, supporting sustainable growth, and building a modern, integrated and climate-friendly transport network that will benefit the Cork region and strengthen its role as Ireland’s second city region.
 
Cork Chamber CEO, Conor Healy, said, “These commitments reflect real and tangible progress for Cork. Most significantly, the inclusion of more than €1 billion for the development of Cork Area Commuter Rail, including electrification, new and upgraded stations, and increased service capacity, directly supports the needs of a rapidly growing region. The progression of Luas Cork towards a Railway Order application represents an important step in bringing high-capacity light rail closer to delivery in Cork city.
 
“The Government’s continued commitment to BusConnects Cork, with increased service frequency, a transition to a zero-emission fleet, expanded bus lanes, and next generation ticketing, as well as significant improvements in walking and cycling infrastructure, is also very welcome.
 
“Alongside this, the inclusion and progression of key road projects such as the Cork Northern Distributor Road, the Great Island Connectivity Scheme (R624 Cobh Road), N/M20 Cork to Limerick, M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy, and the N25 Midleton to Youghal (including Castlemartyr and Killeagh bypasses) demonstrates genuine momentum toward delivering a modern, integrated transport network for Cork, which will reduce congestion, improve journey times and help us to reach our ambitious climate targets. It is also positive to see the N22 Macroom to Ovens and the Cork City Northern Transport Project included in the list of projects to be advanced for future construction.

“In terms of Shared Island funding, it is important that connectivity between Cork and Belfast is actively considered. The restoration of direct Cork–Belfast flights, which Cork Chamber continues to advocate for through the Tri-Region Partnership, would significantly enhance all-island business, tourism, and investment linkages and should form part of future Shared Island aviation priorities, alongside consideration of the importance of enhanced rail links between Cork and Belfast.”
 
“Ambitious plans are important but implementation at pace is essential; the work of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce and the recommendations it will make will be pivotal in this regard,” Mr Healy added. “Businesses and communities need confidence that Cork’s rail, light rail, bus and road projects will move quickly from planning to delivery. Certainty of timelines is every bit as important as the scale of investment.”
 
Cork Chamber will continue to work closely with all stakeholders, advocating for transparent project timetables, robust funding draws, and integrated oversight, to ensure that Cork benefits fully from the NDP commitments and that the promised transport network becomes a reality for our city region.