Clonakilty's roads lead to a ‘bad impression'

ROAD and footpath surfaces from Clonakilty’s Faxbridge to the Technology Park – and all parts in between – are in need of serious repair, according to the members of the Municipal District of West Cork.

One councillor tabled a motion calling for the road surface from the Faxbridge roundabout to the Technology Park to be resurfaced because, as the approach road to the town, it is giving a terrible first impression of Clonakilty.

A similar argument was made in respect of a second motion, which called for another road – the R600 at Gullane – to be repaired as a matter of urgency because it is such an integral part of the Wild Atlantic Way and connects Kinsale with Clonakilty.

A third motion, tabled by Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) also called for the footpath between Clonakilty Hospital and the entrance to the Sacred Heart Convent be repaired because it is, in some areas, level with the road surface and therefore a source of danger to pedestrians.

Cllr Hayes said: ‘It is a 50kmp zone on the road leading to the Convent but most cars are doing at least 60kph if not more, so it is dangerous.’

Michael Tobin, a senior executive engineer with Cork County Council, confirmed that tender documents in respect of ‘pavement overlay works’ from Faxbridge to Lisselane would be completed in July.

Mr Tobin also agreed that a section of the footpath at the entrance to the Convent had been damaged by flooding in August 2012, and undertook to carry out a detailed inspection before the next meeting. 

As for the R660, he agreed that the road is in need of resurfacing, but the work would not be carried out until after a developer completed the laying a surface water pipe in the last quarter of this year.

Cllr John O’Sullivan (FG) suggested that Cork County Council should be providing services – such as surface water pipes – and charging the developer because all of the other residents are suffering in the meantime. ‘Residents shouldn’t be left at the whim of developers,’ he added.

Cllr Hayes agreed saying the R600 as it leads into Clonakilty is like ‘a patchwork quilt.’

There is some hope, however, that the development of the Greenway project would see the section of the roadway from Faxbridge to the Technology Park get an overall upgrade.