'Road is falling apart': West Cork councillors seek urgent meeting with government over 'neglected' N71

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

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

Ms Cronin said road users in West Cork are 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.

Need to stand together 

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

“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.” 

Ms Cronin said previous representations had been made by municipal district chairpersons, but argued that local councillors needed 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. 

Road is falling apart

“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.

Fianna Fáil’s Deirdre Kelly said concerns about the N71 had been raised repeatedly over many years. “It doesn’t deserve to be called a national road at this point.” 

• Article funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.