'Major milestone’ reached on Midleton to Youghal N25 scheme

A “major milestone” has been achieved on the much-anticipated Midleton to Youghal N25 scheme, according to Fianna Fáil transport spokesperson and TD for Cork East, James O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor, who has advocated for major investment to upgrade the N25 at Killeagh and Castlemartyr since his election to Dáil Éireann four years ago, said the scheme has been sanctioned by the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to appoint a design consultant.

The completion of this work, he said, will result in the route selection process and public consultation commencing.

The stretch of the N25 road connecting Midleton to Youghal via Killeagh and Castlemartyr is a well-known bottleneck and has been the site of a number of accidents.

Mr O’Connor welcomed the update on the project, which he described as a “major milestone”.

In 2021, he had threatened to leave the Fianna Fáil party after the bypass for Killeagh/Castlemartyr was not mentioned specifically in the revised National Development Plan (NDP).

However, following a meeting with the then Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and then Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath, Mr O’Connor said he was satisfied that Government would give “full support” to the project and decided to remain in the party.

The current N25 is currently operating over capacity.

It is understood that over 19,000 vehicles per day travel through Castlemartyr on busy days.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr O’Connor said the upgrade will have major benefits.

“The upgrading of the N25 around Castlemartyr and Killeagh will make a significant positive impact on quality of life in the East Cork area,” he said.

“For Youghal, this project represents a major opportunity to turn the tide on the town’s economic prospects with reduced journey times to Cork making it more competitive for investment.”