A REVISED feasibility report submitted by Cork County Council to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is recommending that a roundabout be installed a notorious junction on the N22 near Crookstown.

The report recommends the introduction of the roundabout at the R585 Castlemore Junction on the N22 National Primary Road, in order to facilitate traffic from coming from the West Cork direction onto this busy junction of a main national primary route.

A Cork County Council spokesperson told The Southern Star that if the report is approved and funded, a technical advisor will be appointed to develop the detailed design and a planning application for this scheme.

Earlier this year TII allocated €9,000 for the Castlemore Road Safety Improvement Scheme, while €18,000 was allocated further up the N22 at the Kilcondy junction.

‘Cork County Council appointed a contractor to carry out a junction upgrade and pavement repair works on the N22 at Kilcondy. These works commenced in early September and included the installation of a right turn ghost island at Kilcondy junction, together with full width pavement overlay works up to Lissarda.’

Councillors at a recent meeting of Macroom Municipal District called for an urgent upgrade of the N22 between Macroom and Ballincollig with Cllr Gobnait Moynihan (FF) pointing out that several junctions along this route are very dangerous.

Several sections of the road near Farnanes have become littered with potholes and uneven surfaces.

A council spokesperson added that they are also liaising with TII to seek funding for resurfacing and improvement schemes on the N22 between Crookstown and Farnanes.

Meanwhile, council officials have ruled out installing any traffic calming measures at another junction by the Diamond Bar at the R585 Béal na Bláth, the scene of several accidents in recent years.

Linemarking at this junction has faded away, while sightlines are blocked for traffic coming from the Coppeen direction heading towards Crookstown.

‘The existing junction at Béal na Bláth is currently within a 60km per hour zone. There are no plans at present to reduce the speed limit to 50km per hour zone. The linemarking at the junction will be reviewed by Cork County Council and arrangements will be made to refresh the lining if required,’ said a spokesperson.

Cork County Council told The Southern Star earlier last year that a planned initial design for the junction proved to be ‘unsatisfactory’ and that a design team was to work on an alternative solution for the junction.

It was envisaged that a revised design would be available at the end of 2024.