‘Macroom to Ballincollig route needs urgent upgrade’

AS the road markings dried on the last section of the N22 bypass of Macroom and Baile Mhúirne, which was opened this week, local Fine Gael TD and former minister Michael Creed said residents along the road between Macroom and Ballincollig were “in a living nightmare” and that route needed the same upgrade as a matter of urgency.

The Macroom TD, who was credited by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with securing Cabinet approval for the Macroom bypass, has urged his Government colleagues to begin building a 24km stretch of road between Ballincollig and Macroom.

Mr Creed, who has said he will not stand at the next general election, said the road between Macroom and Ballincollig included “25 significant junctions, many of which have seen serious and sometimes fatal accidents”.

“Everyone living in the villages, businesses and individual residences along this roadway, is living a nightmare,” he said.

“The level of traffic outside their doors every day is unacceptably high. They take serious risks on a daily basis when entering and exiting their properties.”

He said the N22 is the access artery for the south west.

“Cork County Council, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority, sterilised a preferred route corridor for a new road nearly 20 years ago.

“It’s high time to revisit that and invest in public consultation, design, planning, land acquisition and all other necessary preparatory works,” Mr Creed said.

“The current rush-hour tailbacks we see coming off and getting onto the Ballincollig bypass could soon be replicated at Coolcower, at the eastern end of the Macroom bypass.”

The TD said he was aware of “ideological resistance” to investing in roads rather than public transport.

“We need both, and good roads and public transport go hand in hand,” he said.

“In light of the number of serious road-traffic accidents, and the very high traffic counts on this road, I believe it warrants significant investment as soon as possible.”

Mr Creed called for the immediate commencement of the work on the route.

“Failure to do so undermines the investment already made on either side.”