‘Perfect storm’ predicted for commuters with key East Cork road set to be 'overwhelmed' by traffic

A “perfect storm” is predicted for commuters in two of the biggest towns in East Cork as thousands more houses are built there and an already creaking roads network becomes totally overwhelmed.

The County Development Plan (CDP) projects that there will be huge population growth in Midleton and Carrigtwohill over the coming years and that the main N25 road serving them will not be able to cope with the additional commuter traffic generated.

Speaking at a Cork County Council meeting, Social Democrats councillor Eamonn Horgan warned of looming chaos.

“As of the 2022 census, the population of Midleton was 13,906. According to the new CDP, Midleton’s population is expected to grow to 27,854 by 2034, doubling in size. This would make it the largest town in Co Cork,” he said.

“This growth is expected to be met by building an additional 8,549 units within the town’s confines. It should be noted the town’s confines are also to expand, with an additional 74 hectares of land being zoned for housing need,” said Mr Horgan.

“Carrigtwohill has a similar story. As of the 2022 census the population there was 5,568 and is expected to grow to 14,968 by 2034. That is a projected population growth of 169%.”

Mr Horgan said this will all be going on while the upgrade of the road network has been stalled in recent years.

“The upgrade of the Carrigtwohill to Midleton dual carriageway has only been recently given the green light once again with a nominal sum of €500,000 being made available in 2026,” Mr Horgan said. 

“This is to conduct an assessment of previous phases and to see how it aligns with updated policies and legislation. The opening of this upgrade is many years away, taking into account possible redesign of elements, planning and construction.”

Upgrade

He said €1m has been made available for the formulation of a plan for the upgrade of the N25 from Midleton to Youghal.

“This upgrade, along with the Lakeview Roundabout is some years away also.”

Mr Horgan has pointed out that the reopening of the Midleton–Youghal railway line could ease the looming transportation crisis, but again, even if approved, it would take years to complete.

He said the only feasible, realistic alternative is to use what is already there, “what is already called for by many, and a solution that is easily ramped up within a couple of years. That’s a strong, reliant, frequent Local Link service.”

Mr Horgan won unanimous cross-party support for the council to write to the minister for transport, Darragh O’Brien, and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ask that sufficient funding be made available so as to transform the Local Link bus service in East Cork into a multi frequency, seven days a week service.

Overhaul

Mayor of County Cork, Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley, said there needs to be a complete overhaul of public transport in the region if they’re to stave-off traffic mayhem.

Councillor Michael Hegarty, the Fine Gael leader on the council, said the local authority had repeatedly asked the NTA to come before it and discuss the issues, but it had declined to do so.

“If we’re going to be serious about reducing the number of vehicles on our roads then we have to have a full functioning public transport network,” Independent councillor Peter O’Donoghue added.