Works Extent
The proposed new road is 14 kilometres long, from the Carrigrohane Road at its western end to Glanmire in the east, crossing the northern side of Cork City via Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff. It is a key element to delivering the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), which was published in 2020 and identified the need for this east-west route on the north side of Cork City.
Objectives
- Unlock zoned land on the north side of Cork City for future residential and commercial development;
- Provide safe, dedicated infrastructure for active travel (walking and cycling), public transport and general traffic;
- Improve journey times for all road users;
- Improve access to areas of employment.
Project Update December 2025
The emerging preferred route for the scheme, as presented during the public consultation process held earlier this year, has now been confirmed as the preferred route for the CNDMR.
The project has received approval from the National Transport Authority to progress through the next stage of scheme development which will include environmental assessments and the preparation of preliminary designs.
The project was also included by Government in the National Development Plan (Transport Sector Investment Plan, Major Projects €200m - €500m), reflecting the strategic importance of the proposed project and the Government’s ambition to advance its delivery.
The CNDMR is a key component of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, which was published in 2020 and identified the need for this east-west route on the north side of Cork City. The proposed new road is 14 kilometres long, from the Carrigrohane Road at its western end to Glanmire in the east, crossing the northern side of Cork City via Hollyhill, Dublin Hill and Banduff. The CNDMR will establish improved connectivity for residents in the north side of Cork City. It will also unlock lands zoned for the development of housing, linking residential development with key areas of employment and amenities. As an inner urban road, it will also provide safe, dedicated infrastructure for walking, cycling, public transport and general traffic.
Public Consultation
This update follows the non-statutory public consultation held from 27 February to 10 April this year, which received 1,413 submissions and saw an attendance of over 900 people at the four information open days held at locations across the proposed route of the CNDMR. The submissions confirmed a broad consensus amongst members of the public on the need for the new northside multimodal road.
Public feedback also identified several themes which have been assessed and will feed into and inform the ongoing design process. These include issues in relation to access, property and lands, environment, public transport, delivery timelines, local traffic, and City Development Plan.
Next Steps
The scheme will now undergo further design development, as well as detailed environmental, transport, and other relevant assessments, before the final design is ready to be presented. This next phase of work will involve a range of assessments, including flora and fauna surveys, geological investigations, archaeological studies, detailed terrain mapping etc. The preliminary design process will identify the precise location of the proposed road within the wider corridor that was presented in the consultation for the emerging preferred route. It will also confirm the number and type of proposed junctions, structures, environmental measures and other features of the design.
Cork City Council restates its commitment to maximise the benefits of the proposed multi-modal road for residents and other users along the corridor, and there will be no requirement for the demolition of any homes as part of the scheme’s construction.
The scheme design will be subject to further public consultation and ultimately, if proceeded with, a statutory planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála. It is anticipated that the preliminary design will be completed and the proposals be ready to submit to An Coimisiún Pleanála in early 2028. Subject to necessary approvals, tenders could be sought for the works as early as 2031.
For further information please see www.cndmrpublicconsultation.ie and you can contact the project team on cndmr@corkcity.ie