East Cork road upgrade would lead to a ‘better lifefor everyone’

There have been calls for a final decision to be made on upgrading the R624 road to provide improved access to the town of Cobh.

For many years, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber have highlighted the importance and need for the redevelopment of the R624, with one main bridge connecting Cobh to the mainland.

Speaking to The Echo, Fine Gael county councillor Sinéad Sheppard said she feels that, on top of tourism and economic reasons, it is essential the people of Cobh have a proper modernised road infrastructure.

“It is needed,” she said. 

“We are an island with a huge population of over 15,000 people. It is the one road in and off the island. If even minor road accidents happen there, the whole place is shut down.

“It is imperative really that our infrastructure here in Cobh matches what our tourism aspirations are.

“I feel if our road was upgraded, that leads to better infrastructure and a better life for everyone.”

Final decision

Labour Party city councillor Peter Horgan said there now must be a final decision to upgrade the Fota road at Belvelly, so that part of the Docklands is not put on indefinite hold.

“If the incoming Government is serious about the Docklands in Cork, then one of the first items the minister for transport must do is instruct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to upgrade that road,” he said

“The report, as far as I am aware, on the upgrading options, has been presented by Cork County Council. Officials in Dublin must now act, or a significant portion of the Docklands project is in peril once more.”

Paramount importance

In a statement, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber called for the issue of the R624 redevelopment be given paramount importance.

“The recent An Bord Pleanála decision further underscores the urgent need for investment in infrastructure to support both commercial and residential development, which is crucial to our community’s growth, safety and sustainability,” it stated.

“The R624 as the sole access road to the area needs to be upgraded to a national road and to come under the Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s remit. We urgently call on public representatives and Cork County Council to prioritise this issue and work collaboratively to achieve this.”