Motorists 'deeply frustrated' by traffic delays on busy Cork road

Motorists who use the R610 from Monkstown to Raffeen on a daily basis have been left ‘deeply frustrated at ongoing delays they are experiencing’ — due to temporary traffic lights which have been installed on the road, which links to the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road, said Carrigaline-based Fianna Fáil councillor Seamus McGrath.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed on a 0.5km stretch of road either side of Murph’s Pub since August 3 due to what has been described as the ‘constant deterioration of the surface due to the sinking of the foul sewer underneath’.

The councillor explained that the issues relate to repairs carried out by Irish Water since 2020 (now Uisce Éireann) and that frustration of motorists is being exacerbated by the fact that they see no work taking place.

“The traffic lights take 200 seconds, more than three minutes, to change each time and, because of the build up of traffic it causes, you could be there much longer,” Mr McGrath said. 

“The council is adamant that responsibility rests with Uisce Éireann to carry out the necessary roadworks. Uisce Éireann dug the road in the past to lay service pipes.”

An Uisce Éireann spokesperson said the utility had been liaising with Cork County Council, and an agreement had been reached to carry out “temporary road repairs” during the “week commencing August 19, subject to approvals”.