Funding application for the overhaul of Cobh's main road

AN application for funding to upgrade the main road into Cobh is to be submitted by Cork County Council in the coming weeks.

It is proposed to rehabilitate the entire road from Carrigtwohill interchange into Cobh starting with Belvelly bridge.

Fine Gael Councillor Michael Hegarty said this was very positive and welcome news as a lot of development hinged on the road and the traffic at peak times is "unpleasant for regular motorists.”

Director of Services in the Roads and Transportation section in County Hall, Padraig Barrett said that there was a significant project needed on the Cobh road which he knew had been on the agenda for quite a while.

“The proposal is to do the entire road from Carrigtwohill interchange into Cobh. it’s the entire road. It's a substantial scheme, we will be phasing it, starting with Belvelly bridge, that will be the first part. Other parts will be done in different phases," he said.

Mr Barrett confirmed that the funding application would be sent to the Department of Transport in the next couple of weeks.

Mr Hegarty said while he was happy with the news he would like a more definite timeline and timeframe for the project.

The Councillor said that he did not think the works would be starting in 2020 at the earliest as there were a number of factors that would delay the project.

“There is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) area and a Natural Heritage Area (NHA) involved. These will require statutory assessments. I doubt that work will start before the end of the year.”