NEW footpaths in Glengarriff are forcing heavy trucks to mount the kerb, councillors have warned.

Concerns have been raised that a section on the R572 from Coomarkane cross junction to the pedestrian crossing at Glengarriff river was too narrow for large vehicles, creating a potential hazard for both drivers and pedestrians.

The call comes after reports that trucks were crossing the centre line and at times driving up on the pavement to navigate the bend in the redesigned footpath, especially as the road narrows approaching Glengarriff village.

At a recent meeting of the West Cork Municipal District councillors warned that if two lorries meet at this section of road while pedestrians are using the path, there was a risk of a serious accident.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind) raised a motion on the issue and said there is a chicane on that section which means articulated trucks cannot get around and keep their lorry and trailer on the road.

‘This is forcing the trucks to go outside of the white line. The trailer then runs on to the footpath and there were a few occasions when people were walking on the footpath. There will be an accident there and something needs to be done,’ he said, calling for a review of the design.

Council engineers noted that the works formed part of a wider pedestrian project completed in recent years, funded in part by national transport supports.

While a full road safety audit was not currently planned, the council indicated that some kerb alterations have already been made and further minor adjustments may be considered following the concerns raised.

Cork County Council engineer Mark O’Sullivan said the works at the junction started in 2022 and were completed in 2023.

‘All of the works were constructed within the existing 50kmh zone with the vast majority of the works within the existing yellow lines. A Section 38 process was not necessary as the scheme was focused on pedestrian connectivity and not traffic calming,’ he said

The successful tender amount was in the sum of €30,928.75 including VAT for the replacement of the existing riverside footpath, works at the junction, ducting, etc for new pedestrian crossing and a section of new footpath on the northern side of the R-572. Materials for these works were generally supplied by Cork County Council.

‘Following the successful completion of the northern footpath works and given the continued availability of NTA funding the decision was made to construct a footpath on the southern side of the road.

‘The total cost of the works was €143,570.04, including two footpaths, speed detection sign, raising stone wall boundary, surfacing the Coomerkane junction, surfacing a section of old Castletownbere road for junction widening works, removing and replacing a section of the new southern footpath subsequent to Autotrack analysis, drainage and ducting.’