'High value projects' on the way for problem roads

It is hoped that some 30.6km of roads in the Fermoy Municipal District area will see works under the 2024 Roads Improvement Programme.

This comes as the draft plan for 2024 was issued to elected members this week, involving an estimated €3.975 million of works in wet-mix overlays. Several schemes, as raised by councillors over the past 18 months, have also been included in the plans.

Senior engineer, Brendan O’Gorman, outlined that several ‘high value jobs’ that are included in the draft programme, including works at Glenville village to the tune of €344,000.

Works between Aghern and Kilclare, on the R628 are also included, which Mr O’Gorman noted are estimated to cost around €369,000.

“Works are due to commence on February 5th in the Mitchelstown roads area using our own wet-mix operations. Blacktop then generally follows through in May, June and July,” Mr O’Gorman said.

The draft Roads Maintenance (RM) programme, which involves surface dressing, was also issued to elected members, coming in at a cost of around €1.03 million, allowing coverage of around 48km of roads.

Mr O’Gorman outlined that under the two programmes, around 78km of roads will be completed, averaging around 8% of the total road network.

Those in the Limerick direction, however, may be waiting some time before works are undertaken on the vital connection to Mitchelstown. News of this comes as Cllr Kay Dawson queried as to whether any section of the road from The Firgrove to Ballaghderg Bridge, the R513, is included in the programme of works for this year.

Responding, Mr O'Gorman outlined that the R513 has provisionally been placed on the plan for the year 2026, however, outlined that patch repair has been carried out on the road over the past two years.

Mr O'Gorman confirmed that Cork County Council would continue to carry out patch repair on the road, however, outlined that the overall project is a number of years out.