Calls for urgent meeting as Cork road increasingly dangerous, say councillors

West Cork councillors are seeking a meeting with government ministers and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) officials to press the case for increased investment in the N71, which they described as being in a poor and increasingly dangerous condition.

The issue was raised at a recent meeting of Cork County Council's West Cork Municipal District by Fine Gael's Caroline Cronin, who called for councillors from across the region to form a delegation to meet with decision-makers.

Ms Cronin said road users in West Cork were being let down by a lack of investment in the region's main national route. 

“The people of West Cork pay their road tax like everyone else, but we are left with a national route that is in an extremely poor state and not fit for purpose,” she said.

She stressed that the condition of the road was not the fault of Cork County Council but was instead due to insufficient funding from TII and central government. 

“We need to stand together and demand the funding that the N71 deserves. Our communities, businesses, and road users deserve a safe and modern road network,” she said.

Ms Cronin said previous representations had been made by municipal district chairpersons, but argued that local councillors need to bring the message directly to ministers and TII officials.

Municipal district officer Eimear O'Neill said any such initiative should be undertaken in consultation with the council's roads directorate.

Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton supported the proposal, describing the N71 as neglected compared to national roads elsewhere in Cork.

“Our national road is falling apart,” he said. 

“For a national route it's absolutely appalling and it's very dangerous in a lot of sections.” 

Mr Sexton said the lack of overtaking opportunities between Bandon and Skibbereen was a major issue, particularly given the volume of slow-moving agricultural traffic using the route. 

“There's nowhere safe to pull in and we're not getting enough funding from TII,” he said. 

“Our national road is an absolute disgrace.” 

Mr Sexton said ministers and TII representatives need to hear directly from councillors about the condition of the road and the challenges faced by motorists every day.

Fianna Fáil's Deirdre Kelly said concerns about the N71 had been raised repeatedly over many years. “We need to keep shouting about this because it's been ongoing for years,” she said.

“It doesn't deserve to be called a national road at this point.” 

Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said the poor condition of roads was creating additional safety risks for motorists. “No wonder we are having accidents on the roads,” he said.

“People are trying to miss potholes and this creates accidents on our roads. Something has to be done.” 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme