Bypasses for Clon and Innishannon ‘not included’ in National Development Plan.

BYPASSES for both Clonakilty and Innishannon, which has almost 16,000 vehicles passing through on a daily basis, are off the cards for now due to ‘many competing demands for funding’, it has emerged.

Neither project is included in the National Development Plan, said Senator Noel O’Donovan in the Seanad last week, a statement that was not contradicted by Minister of State Jerry Buttimer

Senator O’Donovan said that after 40 years of neglect, West Cork needs a ‘safe, modern and fair N71’ and called for a co-ordinated corridor plan for the entire N71.

However, Deputy Buttimer said that from his discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Cork County Council, they are not in a position to prioritise the proposed bypass of Innishannon and Clonakilty due ‘to many competing demands for these resources’ which have been required to fund other schemes.

Minister Buttimer did acknowledge the ‘gridlock’ experienced in the village: ‘If you stand at the side of the road in Innishannon, it is nearly a procession of traffic the whole time’.

‘The Senator is right that it is gridlock now going through Innishannon at any hour of the day or night and it is nearly a long-term hazard… Bandon is choked too’.

The National Development Plan foresees €2.9 billion for existing national roads over a ten-year period, and another €5.1 billion for new national road projects.

Nevertheless, and despite the fact that the area is the ‘gateway’ to West Cork, nothing more was promised other than ‘a commitment’ to a meeting with Department officials.

In Bandon there was slightly better news, as on Tuesday the council held their open public consultation on the extension of the Bandon Southern Relief Road Extension Scheme, a project for which €450,000 was allocated earlier in the year.

In other postive news, traffic calming measures and the introduction of a new raised table pedestrian crossing are on the cards for Innishannon.

A TII grant of €45,000 to the council in April has allowed the local authority to progress plans for a potential safety improvement scheme at the western approach into the village.

It is intended that this scheme will include the installation of traffic calming measures, and a new raised table pedestrian crossing. The exact location of this is yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, plans for a much-needed pedestrian crossing near the Poachers Restaurant on the New Road in Bandon are moving a step closer, following a funding allocation earlier this year from TII of €15,000.

Cork County Council have prepared a ‘Feasibility and Options Report’ for a new pedestrian crossing which was approved by TII in June; this scheme will progress onto the detailed design stage next, and if all goes well with the design and funding available, works will begin in 2026.

Senator O’Donovan welcomed confirmation this week that Cork County Council has secured €200,000 in funding from the NTA (National Transport Authority) to develop a Local Transport Plan for Clonakilty.

The funding will support the design of key transport interventions across the town, including improvement to pedestrian infrastructure and junction upgrades, most notable at the Hospital Cross.

It is expected that a technical advisor will be appointed early next year, and the Local Transport Plan will consider all modes of travel with public consultation being a central part of the process.

Seanator O’Donovan welcomed the fact, that ‘this plan will help shape the future of transport in Clonakilty,  and it is essential that the people of the town have their say’.