PEDESTRIAN crossings are being considered for a number of towns and villages across West Cork.

At a recent meeting of the Western Division, Eoin McCarthy, an engineer at the Cork National Roads office, confirmed the council had prepared a feasibility and options report for an upgrade of a pedestrian crossing in Leap village.

He said this has been approved by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and a preliminary design is being carried out, and that construction will take place in 2026 subject to TII approval and funding.

Also in Leap, a feasibility and options report for a potential Safety Improvement Scheme (SIS), to include traffic calming, a footpath extension, and the introduction of a new puffin pedestrian crossing, is being prepared for the area leading to the Leap amenity park.

Meanwhile, in Bantry, the local authority is preparing a feasibility and options report, which will be completed early in 2026, for a potential pedestrian crossing in a location between the cinema and the Garda Station.

Another SIS scheme is being considered for Ballylickey in Bantry, and this too will include traffic calming, a footpath extension and the introduction of a new pedestrian crossing.

In Bandon, Mr McCarthy said a feasibility and options report for a new pedestrian crossing near the Poacher’s Restaurant was approved by TII in June 2025.

He said a detailed design should be completed early in the new year. A second pedestrian crossing is being considered at a location near Distillery Road and Mill Road, and a decision by TII is pending.

In Innishannon, a potential Safety Improvement Scheme (SIS), that will include traffic calming and the introduction of a new zebra pedestrian crossing is being developed.

Rosscarbery too is being considered for a pedestrian crossing, near the Celtic Ross Hotel, as is the junction of the N71 and Inchydoney Road in Clonakilty.

Independent Ireland Cllr Daniel Sexton asked the engineer to assess the danger at an existing pedestrian crossing at Convent Hill and implement some safety features.

‘This pedestrian crossing is very hidden,’ he stated. ‘It’s possible that the lights of the nearby garage don’t help. But motorists are on it before they know it, which makes it very dangerous for pedestrians.’

Dunmanway-based Cllr Deirdre Kelly (FF) also made the case to have a pedestrian crossing located at The Parkway.

She told the engineer that the hotel owners are willing to move their boundary wall to facilitate a safe, new pedestrian cross.

Cllr Isobel Towse (SD) paid tribute to the council for successfully completing 1,000 road works and improvements schemes this year.

‘It is also good to see many small low-cost safety schemes being completed,’ she said after agreeing that a pedestrian crossing is badly needed in the village of Rosscarbery.