Major traffic diversions in Bandon may affect students sitting exams

ONE of the main arteries connecting the north and south of Bandon town is set to close until the end of August. 

North Main Street will close from 7am on Monday June 10th until Sunday August 25th to facilitate pipeline, road and footpath construction as part of the €14m upgrade to the Bandon Water Main and Sewer Network.

With State exams taking place from Wednesday June 5th, contractor Ward & Burke have contacted schools, exam staff and school buses and said signposted diversions will be in place.

Ward & Burke are doing the work on behalf of Irish Water and in partnership with Cork County Council. A Council spokesperson said that there are two adjacent road closures proposed for that part of the town, including Bank Place, which it is proposed will run consecutively.

‘The first one at Bank Place runs to June 17th and the second one begins officially on June 10th but will not come into place until the first one is complete. 

‘The overlap is to allow continuous work in order to ensure an earliest possible finish date. The road closure for North Main Street will not come into force until the closure at Bank Place is complete.’

Traffic intending to access North Main Street from Kilbrogan Hill and Emmet Row will be diverted west along the R-586 passing the Dunmanway Road, follow the road onto the R-586-25, then at Carhoon East, turn left onto the L-2019-0 heading towards Baxter’s Bridge and follow the road to its junctions with the N71 at Knockaveale.

Traffic approaching Bandon from the R-586 from Enniskeane intending to traverse North Main Street, will be diverted rights at Carhoon East onto the L-2019-0 towards Baxter’s Bridge and follow the diversion.

Meanwhile, Emmet Row will close from Saturday June 1st from approximately 11.30 am until Monday June 3rd at approximately 3am. It will be closed to facilitate the Bandon Music Festival and diversions will be put in place.