FUNDING of €650,000 to progress Bandon’s Southern Relief Road is welcome - but the project started 30 years ago and is still unfinished, a local councillor has pointed out.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) noted at last week’s meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District that the bypass for the town started three decades ago.

‘It should be completed by now and we need to push TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) to finish this,’ said Cllr Coughlan.

She said they also need to focus on a bypass for the northern quadrant of the town which is experiencing heavy traffic.

A public consultation took place last November and Bandon Kinsale Municipal District manager Padraig Barrett said the route selection is ongoing but should be finalised soon.

He said there would be a public information event when this is decided.

The scheme will comprise an extension of the existing relief road, varying from 1km to 7km in length to the south and west of Bandon, depending on the preferred route option.

‘This funding didn’t happen overnight and I welcome the fact that funding will be allocated for P Cross and the fact it’s now on paper is progress,’ said Cllr Marie O’Sullivan (FG).

Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) agreed and welcomed the allocation of €100,000 to examine the feasibility of a bypass for Innishannon.

‘It’s now on the table and it’s extremely significant for our municipal district. Cork County Council made a robust case which stood up to scrutiny on the day for all these funding announcements,’ said Cllr Coleman,

He also noted that that the Northern Relief Road for Bandon has been recognised for the first time which he said is very significant and the Department of Transport and TII will get involved in funding for this project.

Cllr John Michael Foley (FG) said it was good to ‘get the ball rolling’ for a long-awaited bypass for Innishannon and added that they need to drive on with the completion of the Southern Relief Road in Bandon.