Multiple funding issues stall requested works

Funding issues have impacted a number of calls for urgent work to be carried out at sites across the region.

Councillors had raised concerns about several locations which need urgent work, but council officials have said that the funding required was not available.

The first issue was raised by Cllr Frank O’Flynn at Tuesday’s Fermoy Municipal District online meeting, to put in place traffic calming measures from Killavullen bridge through the village, including a soft ramp, in the interest of safety.

Brendan O’Gorman, Council Engineer, said that there was no funding stream available currently in the district to advance these requests but they will be kept on file for future consideration.

FOOTPATH

Cllr O’Flynn also said that he had agreed co-operation from the Catholic church to widen a dangerous stretch of footpath in the Castletownroche area.

His notice of motion to the meeting read: “That Cork County Council would widen the very narrow footpath by the church on the N72 Mallow road entrance to Castletownroche in the interest of safety and to help social distancing as part of prevention measures against Covid-19”.

Mr O’Gorman said that there were no lands available to widen the path here, explaining that the wall and lands behind it are in private church ownership.

“If the wall was set back and rebuilt by the church authorities, then we could advance a footpath project, subject to NTA funding,” he added.

But both Cllr O’Flynn and Cllr Frank Roche said that there had been agreement reached with local church officials and they would allow the removal of the wall.

Mr O’Gorman said that this work would have to be carried out separately as it was on private land and then the council could examine widening the footpath.

BELLEVUE CROSS SIGNAGE

Cllr William O’Leary asked that appropriate road markings or signage be placed at Bellevue Cross to Clondulane as there was a ‘restricted view’ on the road.

Mr O’Gorman said that additional warning signage will be installed there to advise of pedestrians on the road. He added that ‘concealed entrance’ signage would not be appropriate.

OTHER WORKS

Cllr Noel McCarthy asked that an engineer’s report be proposed to consider the possibility of installing traffic calming measures including ‘Children At Play’ and ‘Cul-deSac’ signs on Duntahane Road, Fermoy.

Mr O’Gorman said there was no funding available, but he would keep it on file for later consideration; he did add that signage would be considered.

Cllr Deirdre O’Brien requested an update on proposed improvements on the N73 from Coolenave roundabout to Carrigane at the Kilbehenny roundabout.

Mr O’Gorman said that some minor pavement maintenance resurfacing had been approved for 2021 for the area around the Coolnanave Industrial Estate entrance, but the wider planned resurfacing works to the Kilbeheny roundabout were deferred, with no new timeline advised.