Traffic management plan needed for Fermoy

Proposals for a relief road in Fermoy to ease traffic are being considered, according to Cork County Council officials.

Calls were extended this week for a relief road in Fermoy in light of major developments coming on stream for the town in the form of the nearly completed Primary Health Care Centre, along with planning permission sought for a new Tesco store, both located in the Mill Island area of the town.

At the Fermoy Municipal District meeting, Cllr Noel McCarthy tabled a motion asking whether the council has considered the need or feasibility of a relief road in light of such developments.

“While they’re all welcoming the new developments and everyone is excited in Fermoy that we have a lot more footfall and a lot more vehicles coming to town, they’re just worried.

“We need to do something because I know that if we don’t, there will be a real congestion of traffic. We need to come up with some plan,” Cllr McCarthy said.

‘GETTING IT RIGHT FOR THE TOWN’

In response to the motion, Senior Engineer with Cork County Council, Brendan O’Gorman noted that any new road in this area does not bring a bypass to the town, but rather, just brings traffic faster to and from the quays and Pearse Square.

“The proposed measure would however bring relief and reduce congestion primarily to a single junction on O’Rahilly Row on the N72 and take traffic off the N72 directly into the Tesco development on the eastern side.

“The proposal is being considered in conjunction with other measures that will fall under the Tesco planning which is a current application and pending. Unfortunately, Tesco does not own all the lands that could bring about this relief here,” Mr O’Gorman said.

Cllr McCarthy acknowledged that the measure would not free up traffic completely and would still leave Fermoy ‘choked’ at the bridge, however, impressed the need to relieve traffic in the East of the town.

Although the Tesco development is still in the midst of the planning process, Mr O’Gorman stated that the council continues to look at ‘overall issues’.

“There is an overall traffic management plan required for the town. It’s about a redistribution and it’s about getting it right for the town but we’re looking at all things, not just one particular item,” he said.