DETAILED plans and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for a multi-million-euro road from Cork to Ringaskiddy are to be submitted to the board of the National Roads Authority (NRA) early next year.
Concern had been raised that the road project was sidelined after Bord Pleanála’s refusal to allow the Port of Cork authority relocate to a new terminal in Ringaskiddy.
The proposed move was one of the key factors in Cork County Council plans for building the new road.
Cllr Tim Lombard (FG) said there had been significant doubt in Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy that the project would ever go ahead after the planning appeals board’s decision.
He said the current N28 was at capacity and serving a major industrial area.
“Eight of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world are based in Ringaskiddy. We need a good road to serve the area if it is to grow even more,” Cllr Lombard said.
Cllr John A Collins (FG) said he was concerned the project would never be built due to the necessity to compete projects elsewhere and the downturn in the economy.
“It was recognised even when the Port of Cork proposed to build a deep water terminal in Ringaskiddy that the road was at capacity. The area is an economic driver for the region,” Cllr Collins said.
Acting county engineer Noel O’Keeffe said he hoped to have draft CPOs and design plans ready for the beginning of January. He said the documents would be submitted to the board of the National Roads Authority early in the new year. Mr O’Keeffe said he hoped to be ready to start construction quickly if funding becomes available.
Cllr Lombard said he hoped the NRA would sanction the scheme. “Rest assured I’ll be pushing that scheme as much as I can,” Mr O’Keeffe told councillors at a meeting in County Hall yesterday.
Cllr Collins added that councillor should be lobbying Cork’s two ministers, Micheál Martin and Batt O’Keeffe, in order to get the necessary funding.
Irish Examiner
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