Planning permission is currently being sought to develop a major new bus interchange in County Cork.

The proposed interchange, put forth by Cork City Council and the National Transport Authority, will allow for the expansion of bus services accessing the Black Ash Park and Ride and will facilitate the introduction of six new bus routes.

It is proposed that four new bus bays, new entrance and exit points onto the Mick Barry Road, new bus shelters, seating and sheltered bike parking will all be developed at the facility which will also provide safe walkways for pedestrians moving around the site.

The interchange would also create significant new connectivity between the city, county and key locations such as Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork Airport and Kent Railway Station. 

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Part 8 planning permission is being sought to develop the site with the public consultation open for submissions until April 10. 

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, said: "This planned interchange at the upgraded facility will allow passengers to seamlessly, conveniently and safely transfer from one bus route to another or from their car or bike to any of the bus routes providing greater public transport coverage to key destinations across the network."

NTA Chief Executive, Hugh Creegan, added: "Delivering a new bus interchange at Black Ash will help support the rollout of our new bus network planned for Cork.

"Working closely with our partners in Cork City Council, we want to make travel by bus a more convenient option for people who are travelling to work, going to college or doing business in the city."

As part of BusConnects Cork, a new bus network was agreed in 2022 which, when fully implemented, will deliver higher frequency services, better public transport coverage to areas currently without a bus service and easier interchange between bus routes seven days a week. 

Click here to view the online interactive map which shows the new bus network.