Major Car Park Expansion Gets Green Light for Millstreet Station

Cork County Council has approved plans for a significant upgrade to Millstreet Station's car park facilities, nearly doubling parking capacity and adding modern amenities including future electric vehicle charging points and improved cycling infrastructure.

The planning approval, announced today by Iarnród Éireann, paves the way for a comprehensive transformation of the station's parking facilities. The project will add 46 new spaces to the existing car park, bringing the total capacity to 82 spaces when works are completed next year.

Procurement for the project is set to begin immediately, with Iarnród Éireann expecting to award the construction contract before the end of 2025. Work will commence in spring 2026 and is scheduled to take approximately nine months to complete.

The upgrade goes beyond simply adding more parking spaces. Seven of the new spaces will be equipped for future electric vehicle charging stations, reflecting the growing shift towards sustainable transport. Five spaces will be specifically designated for persons with reduced mobility, improving accessibility at the station.

Cyclists haven't been forgotten in the plans either. The project includes provision for 10 bicycle parking spaces complete with a dedicated shelter, encouraging more sustainable travel options to the station.

Perhaps most significantly for public transport connectivity, the upgrade will create a new bus set-down and interchange facility. This addition could make it easier for passengers to connect between bus and rail services, potentially reducing car dependency for longer journeys.

The Millstreet upgrade forms part of Iarnród Éireann's ambitious national car park expansion programme. The Department of Transport, working through the National Transport Authority, is funding the network-wide initiative designed to improve multimodal access to rail stations across Ireland.

Colin Grimes, Programme Manager for Network Enhancements:

"My team and I are really looking forward to commencing work on this major upgrade, which will greatly enhance the facilities at Millstreet Station."

The programme's broader objective focuses on addressing capacity constraints at stations whilst promoting sustainable access methods including walking, cycling, and bus connections to rail services.

For Millstreet commuters, the expansion couldn't come at a better time. The station serves as a crucial link for residents travelling to Cork city and beyond, with parking often at a premium during peak commuting hours.

The nine-month construction timeline suggests the new facilities should be operational by early 2027, assuming work begins as scheduled in spring 2026. During construction, temporary arrangements will likely be needed to maintain existing parking provision.

This investment represents a significant boost for public transport infrastructure in north Cork, potentially encouraging more residents to choose rail travel over private car journeys for longer trips.