TRUCK DRIVERS TO BLOCK MAIN ROAD IN PROTEST
Hauliers are set to shut down a busy road in The Avondhu region to protest against, what they say, is its dangerous condition.
Truckers have issued a stark warning about a stretch on the Mallow to Mitchelstown road located at Waterdyke near Shanballymore. They say that the road, the N73, is unfit to be used as a national route.
Cllr Frank Roche, from Castletownroche, said he supports the protest and said that the problem of the road’s narrowness will lead ultimately to serious injury or worse for some motorists.
“This is happening on Friday, the hauliers are not left with much of a solution given the fact that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have not carried out work to improve the road.
“The hauliers and myself fear there will be a fatal accident at this location and I am calling on TII to bring forward the improvement of the road immediately.
“What is needed is road widening, it doesn’t need a huge amount, an extra five feet would do them. The truck drivers need the trees cut and cut away the ditch - they are not looking for a motorway.
“The people I have talked to are at the end of their tether, there is regular damage, on a daily basis, as trucks and other vehicles are side swiping at that location.”
‘CONTROLLED DEMONSTRATION’
Cllr Roche said that the participants will meet up and simultaneously travel to the location near Shanballymore. To ensure safe passage for emergencies, they intend to allow a nearby road to stay open so that it can be circumnavigated.
“This protest will last ten minutes. It is simulating a controlled accident essentially, to show how ridiculous the road width is for drivers,” he explained.
“The hauliers are anxious to not cause problems for people but in the interest of safety for all, the haulage people want to highlight with a controlled demonstration how dangerous this road is for everyone.
“In the interest of safety for the general public who use the road it needs to be widened. I have suffered damage myself at this location in the past. Professional drivers using this road dread having to drive on it and the speed on it with some cars flying along its route, without any understanding of the danger.
“Something needs to be done now,” Cllr Roche stressed.
SERIOUS INVESTMENT NEEDED
Meanwhile, North Cork TD Seán Sherlock has sought immediate action on the N73 between Mallow and Mitchelstown as the road is currently in a deplorable condition and will cause more accidents unless action is taken.
“The journey to and from Dublin is seamless, until you hit the N73,” said Deputy Sherlock.
“Trucks cannot pass each other, drivers have to slow down and anything with more than four wheels comes to a standstill. This is a national road and it is in a deplorable condition. I raised this in July with the new Minister for Road Transport and Logistics. I have again sought a special debate on it when the Dáil convenes this week. This road needs serious investment and it needs it now.”