Cork County Council says majority of primary roads are 'passable with caution'

Olivia Kelleher

Cork County Council has indicated that the majority of primary roads have been treated and are “passable with caution.”

However, the local authority is still urging the public not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

Most priority three and other routes remain in very poor condition and are impassable in places. The focus in north, north-west and mid Cork are the priority one and two routes as well as towns and villages.

Cork County Council has said that the R578 Newmarket to Freemount is treated but road conditions remain poor whilst road conditions at the R578 Bog Cross to Dromina, the R515 Newtownshandrum Village, the L1320 - N20 to Churchtown and the R619 are very poor.

The R579 Banteer to Nadd remains closed due to a combination of fallen trees and snow accumulations.

Meanwhile, HSE South West it would like to remind the public that all non-urgent appointments - such as outpatient appointments and other clinical appointments - are cancelled on Monday.

While the majority of appointments scheduled for Tuesday will go ahead as planned, they are asking the public to travel only if safe to do so.

“We understand that road conditions will vary across the city and county. If you cannot safely make it to an appointment, please let your team know and they will reschedule it for you as soon as possible.

"In particular, a number of appointments in North Cork (hospital and community) will be deferred on Tuesday, and HSE staff will contact those affected directly.”

They said all non-urgent appointments at CUH, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, Bantry Hospital and Mallow Hospital will not go ahead today but most will take place tomorrow, as scheduled.

The situation will be kept under review over the next few days. There will be further localised impacts at Bantry and Mallow Hospitals but anyone affected will be contacted directly.

At Cork University Maternity Hospital, all gynaecology outpatient appointments are not going ahead on Monday but will recommence on Tuesday.

Antenatal appointments are going ahead, which means that any expectant mother with an appointment should attend.

Staff are providing care urgent and emergency care and this will continue. HSE staff are contacting patients with urgent appointments such as dialysis and chemotherapy to make arrangements.