Long-awaited traffic calming measures to proceed on Cobh road 

After several years of lobbying, local councillors have been told by officials that traffic-calming measures will be undertaken on the Tay Rd in Cobh

The news was delivered following a motion by Fianna Fáil councillor Dominic Finn at a meeting of the Cobh municipal district council.

Mr Finn said: “It’s like our M50. There is crash after crash after crash there.

“There’s serious concern for local residents, pedestrians, and other road users.”

He called on the council to allocate money from its local property tax (LPT) to fund the project.

Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen said the road is regularly being used by “boy racers” and said the poor safety on it “is one of the biggest issues in Cobh”.

The road could even be made one-way, Mr Rasmussen said, while Mr Finn said a series of ramps should be introduced to reduce vehicle speed. Mr Finn was told by council engineers that ramps cost up to €10,000 each.

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard said millions of euro are being spent on new housing developments on the side of the town served by the Tay Rd, which, she said, is “basically a boreen”.

“For years, nothing has been done to upgrade this road. We need to get serious about this,” she said

A report given to councillors said that Cork County Council will progress a full-scheme assessment and detailed design for traffic-calming.

The initial design process is expected to take three to four months, subject to the availability of the Road Design Office, and is a mandatory prerequisite before any application for external capital funding can be submitted.

“The primary mechanism for construction funding is through the NTA (National Transport Authority), which the Roads Directorate is currently reviewing. 

“Consequently, an application for NTA funding cannot be considered until mid-next year, at the earliest.”

Mr Rasmussen expressed disappointment that a survey and design could take so long. 

Council engineers said they would see if they could fast-track the process.

Meanwhile, Mr Rasmussen asked them to put up signs close to Belvelly Bridge to point to the right for the best way into the town centre. 

Mr Rasmussen said: “It’s very dangerous when tourists stop, being confused as to which way to go. Google is telling you to go left and right at the same time. It is so very dangerous.” he said.

Council engineers said they would look in to his request.