Councillor deems busy Cork city road an 'embarassment' and 'dangerous' but TII says it will not be resurfaced

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has told a Cork city councillor that no significant resurfacing works will be done on any national roads in the city this year, due to funding constraints.

Sinn Féin councillor for Cork city’s southwest ward, Joe Lynch, had asked for a section of the N22 Carrigrohane Rd, from Leemount to Grassland Agro, to be resurfaced.

He was told by a spokesperson for TII: “Given the level of funding allocated to TII for 2025 by the former minister for transport, it is unfortunately not possible this year for TII to fund any significant resurfacing works on national roads in Cork city.

“As an interim measure, TII will liaise with Cork City Council to discuss options for small-scale interventions on the N22 Carrigrohane Rd from Leemount to Grassland Agro.” 

Mr Lynch has described the response as “laughable”, saying that anyone who travels the road “will be well aware of the dreadful state of the road surface” where he had requested resurfacing.

He said: “It is an embarrassment, and dangerous, frankly. As the N22 is a national road, Transport Infrastructure Ireland are responsible for funding its upkeep.

“They have acknowledged the poor condition of the road surface previously, saying that ‘a section of the N22 Carrigrohane straight is included in TII’s five-year pavement programme’.

“Instead of funding badly needed resurfacing works, however, we have a laughable response, stating that no funding will be provided for any resurfacing works on Cork city’s national roads in 2025; with TII pinning the blame on the former minister for transport.” 

Mr Lynch highlighted the importance of national roads, saying that they “form an integral part of the city’s road network, linking most of Cork’s suburbs with the city centre”.

“For not one red cent to be made available for their upkeep in 2025 is not acceptable, and is another example of Cork being left behind when it comes to infrastructural investment. We have a Cork Taoiseach, and it is high time he started to ensure that we get our fair share of funding for crucial roads and infrastructure projects,” Mr Lynch said.