Taoiseach: Vital that funding is allocated for busy Cork link road

The Taoiseach has said that it is vital that sufficient funding is allocated for a significant project on the R624 road.

It comes as access to Cobh was recently cut off for two hours following a traffic incident, and over 1,300 homes in the city have been delayed indefinitely in connection with the R624.

Fine Gael TD for Cork East Noel McCarthy used his first speech in the Dáil to raise the issue of the road, explaining it is currently the only access point to Cobh, meaning that traffic, which is frequently choked, or an accident can leave the town inaccessible.

It comes as An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for a new port facility on the site of the former Irish Fertiliser Industries (IFI) plant at Marino Point in Cork Harbour at the end of last year, saying that the R624 Cobh road and its capacity would not be sufficient to cater for any traffic-intensive use, port-related or otherwise.

Delaying

This will have a knock-on effect of indefinitely delaying 1,325 apartments at the current Goulding site at Centre Park Road and Monahan Road, the largest residential development plan seen to date in the city.

The issue was raised in a recent Cork City Council meeting, with Labour’s Peter Horgan saying: “An issue with a road in the county is now affecting housing in the city.”

Mr McCarthy said in the Dáil on Wednesday: “I wish to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention the R624. Cork County Council is producing an assessment report on the proposed options for the access road to Cobh, the only road access to Great Island. A crash there lately cut off access to the island for over two hours. Belvelly Bridge is over 200 years old and not fit for the traffic volumes using it.”

He also highlighted the need for more ferry services.

“Different access options need to be explored, including the possibility of creating a harbour taxi service.

“Does the Taoiseach agree that this serious problem for the people of Cobh must not continue?”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I accept it is a very serious issue for the people of Cobh, but also more broadly for the region in terms of housing and connectivity.

“It is a matter that will be evaluated in the context of the updated NDP [National Development Plan] to ensure sufficient resources are allocated to try to deal with it as a significant road project in its own right. 

"With regard to access to Cobh, it is vital.”