Entire N71 road from Cork to Ballydehob to be relined next year

Entire N71 from Cork to Ballydehob to be relined next year by David Forsythe The entire N71 from Cork to Ballydehob is to be relined next year under a new Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) contract, a recent meeting of Cork County Council's West Cork Municipal District has heard.

John Ahern, senior executive engineer with Cork County Council, told the meeting in Dunmanway that he had been informed by TII of the planned contract. 

The update was welcomed by members, who said worn road markings were a recurring safety concern along the busy West Cork route.

The relining programme emerged during a discussion on road safety outside St Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Secondary School in Clonakilty. Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton called for the 'Slow School Ahead' markings on both sides of the school entrance to be repainted, along with the nearby pedestrian crossing.

Mr Sexton said the markings had become worn and that speed was an issue on the N71 outside the two schools. He said drivers using the busy route may not immediately realise there was a school entrance and crossing ahead, particularly if the existing markings were faded.

Fianna Fáil councillor Deirdre Kelly supported the motion. 

She said drivers had told her that they did not always see the crossing or realise it was there until they were close to it. Ms Kelly said the route was especially busy and that improving the visibility of the crossing would help make it safer.

In a written response to Mr Sexton’s motion, Mr Ahern said signs and road markings on the N71 were matters for TII and were carried out by its appointed contractor. 

He said the request for the Clonakilty school markings and crossing had been passed to TII for inclusion in its works list.

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