€94m for Cork roads but more funding needed to unlock houses in city

More than 120 road projects in Cork have been allocated funding but a Cork city councillor says it will not be sufficient to make the progress needed to unlock new housing.

This is part of an investment programme of €713m nationally for regional and local roads, with boosted funding for Restoration Improvement, bridge rehabilitation, safety projects and the Community Involvement Scheme.

Over €94m will be coming to Cork; €82,838,900 for over 104 projects in Cork county and €11,762,000 for 17 projects in Cork city.

However, Peter Horgan, a Labour party councillor for Cork City South East, told The Echo that €350,000 for the R624 Cobh Road “is simply not enough to rectify the issues...that are impacting housing in the Docklands”.

An upgrade to the Cobh road has long been called for my public representatives in the area, and recently came to prominence when 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, saying that the R624 Cobh road would not be sufficient to cater for any traffic-intensive use.

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.

Mr Horgan also said he was “disappointed” that specific upgrade and safety work for areas like Maryborough Hill and Moneygourney were not mentioned in the funding agreement, saying that he hopes that they may feature in the restoration fund.

“These roads are not designed for the traffic volumes and speeds currently on them and will only increase as works on the M28 commence. Safety crossings are vital here and also in urban villages like Ballintemple where the road is collapsing and pedestrian safety is urgently needed.”

Fianna Fáil Cork East TD James O’Connor said: “I’m very pleased to see €350,000 being approved for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme. The funding is hugely welcome as it will take the project to the design phase.

“I have been pushing this project as one of the three roads project in the Cork East constituency since my meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in October 2021.

“I warmly welcome today’s announcement, but I ask Cork County Council to keep pushing on with the project.”

He said: “This is a multi-million euro project that needs to be addressed swiftly as it will take years to complete an upgrade to the magnitude needed”

Minister of State and Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central, Jerry Buttimer, welcomed the significant investment in Cork’s road infrastructure on Friday as he announced the government’s investment programme for regional and local roads in 2025, along with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney.

The overall figure for Cork is up €566,730 from last year’s allocation, with €927,390 more allocated to Cork city but €360,660 less allocated to Cork County.

Mr Buttimer said: “As minister with responsibility for rural transport, I know just how important it is that we continue to invest in our rural road network.

“This funding totalling €713m nationally will support and enhance towns, villages, and communities the length and breadth of the State. With over €94m coming to vital projects in Cork, I am looking forward to our roads network seeing improvements in 2025.

“It is an investment that will boost connectivity, support businesses, and make daily commutes to school, work, and other activities easier and safer for families.”

The Midleton North Eastern Transport Corridor has been allocated €250,000.