Councillors say that busy West Cork town is facing 'gridlock' without a traffic plan

Local councillors have warned that Clonakilty could be facing traffic chaos without the implementation of improved traffic management measures.

Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton raised the issue in a motion proposed at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District in Dunmanway. 

The motion asked: 

“That Cork County Council write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to request a progress update on the traffic study currently underway in Clonakilty and to seek a clear timeline for its completion.”

Mr Sexton said: “As the town grows people are getting concerned about the traffic. In reality a bypass is what’s needed but that is at least 25 years away. As it stands there seems to be no progress and nothing is really changing. There are crashes every week at the hospital cross roads. I am asking that TII progress the survey so we can start looking art things.”

The motion was seconded by Deirdre Kelly (FF) who said:

“Residents in Lady’s Cross are concerned about the impact of 246 new houses.”

Isobel Towse (SD) supported the motion: “Residents are concerned. With land on the bypass zoned for commercial and residential development it’s only going to get worse.”

Partrick Gerard Murphy (FF) said that a meeting was planned between TII officials and councillors “in the coming months” where the lack of investment in West Cork infrastructure should be highlighted.

The matter was referred to the National Road Design Office and Sustainable Travel Unit.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.