N20 Waterloo junction closure being considered by Council 

The county council are considering the closure of the N20 Waterloo junction for a second time, according to Director of Roads Padraig Barrett.

Mr Barrett said the council had been monitoring the area from July to September and noted 1,500 dangerous manoeuvres (u-turns) were carried out at the junction during this three month period.

The County Engineer said the works to create a left turn in/out system had been completed but the council was still very concerned about the junction and considering a full closure.

The new left-turn system was devised by Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to stop drivers from turning right while travelling southbound on the N20 into the junction.

Mr Barrett said they were still monitoring the area and it was highly likely over 2,000 dangerous manoeuvres had been carried out to date.

“We are very concerned about it and further intervention including full junction closure may well have to be looked at and considered.,” Mr Barrett said.

This would be the second closure of the junction.

It was first closed last June after a number of serious crashes, one which claimed the lives of two tourists and a safety audit was carried out by the Council, recommending a permanent closure.

Following the council's decision to close the junction a group was established to campaign against the decision called The Waterloo Access Group.

The main reason for the campaign was that the closure would mean Waterloo locals would have a long diversion via Blarney to drop kids at school in Whitechurch.