Council to go ahead with Inniscarra Bridge plan

A PLAN aimed at easing traffic congestion into one of Cork’s most popular visitor attractions must be put into action without restricting access to the facility in the short term.

That’s the view of Cork North West TD Aindrias Moynihan, after it emerged Cork County Council has engaged the services of a company to oversee improvement works at the Inniscarra Bridge near the entrance to the Ballincollig Regional Park.

Deputy Moynihan said the implementation of a proposal to install traffic lights at the bridge must take not restrict people’s access to the Park while works are ongoing.

His comments came after the council announced it had commissioned engineering firm Arup to investigate different options for the works, which the authority has deemed necessary to ease traffic jams and increase flow across the bridge.

The measures are part of an overall plan for remedial works at the bridge, which include ongoing structural works.

“People come from far and wide to use the Regional Park and there is genuine concern that access to it may be restricted as a result of these planned works,” said Deputy Moynihan.

He said that before any works commence the proposal would be going out to consultation to allow local people and businesses an opportunity air their views on the preferred option.

“The plans will be available in the local library and at my office in Ballincollig should people wish to view them in detail,” said Deputy Moynihan.

“This is a very important local project and I would urge everyone from the local community to have their say as part of the public consultation,” he added.