A COUNCILLOR who saw two lorries getting stuck together on one of the narrowest parts of the N71 has called for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to take road improvement works in West Cork more seriously.

Chairperson of the West Cork Municipal District, Cllr Caroline Cronin, tabled a motion calling on Cork County Council to write to TII asking it to prioritise repairs and improvements on the N71, so residents, commuters and emergency responders can travel safely on the national secondary road.

In particular, she asked that TII would immediately repair and upgrade the N71 road from New Court, Skibbereen, to Scart Cross near Bantry, where the N71 intersects with the R586.

She said the current state of the road is so unacceptable it is a safety hazard for all road users.

She specifically mentioned the section beyond Leslie Roycroft’s garage, where the road is subsiding on both sides, saying it presents motorists and pedestrians with a real danger.

‘Parts of this road are so narrow that I have personally witnessed two lorries actually getting stuck together – and this on a national road!’ she said.

Cllr Cronin suggested that a footpath from Bantry cross to the Gabriel Rangers GAA pitch should be made a priority because it is extremely dangerous for children to walk on that stretch of roadway.

Most people living in the greater Skibbereen area are on high alert when it comes to approaching a bend at New Court, just outside the town on the road to Ballydehob.

‘It’s a well-known trap for accidents,’ said the councillor, who noted that the facing stone wall in that area has had to be rebuilt on several occasions following serious road traffic collisions.

Further along the same route, the councillor said, are the roads around Kilcoe Church, all of which are badly in need of resurfacing.

She maintained that the area needs traffic calming too, and possibly a speed limit reduction to offset the chaos that comes from the series of junctions and the sheer volume of traffic at school and mass times.

Finally, motorists travelling the route outlined by Cllr Cronin have, at the Ardura section, to contend with ‘a severe bone shaker’ caused by a patchwork of deteriorated tar.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) was highly critical of TII saying: ‘They have sterilised the N71.’ He was referring to the number of planning applications that are being turned down because TII isn’t happy with new entry and exit points onto the N71 unless they have a 70m sightline at either side.

‘Where in rural Ireland will you get a sightline like that?’ the councillor asked. ‘It’s just not feasible.

‘We were supposed to have a delegation to go and meet TII about the N71,’ Cllr Carroll added.

‘We should go because the road is neglected – it’s just not good enough to be a national road.’