Work set to start on ‘vital’ Kanturk link road in the spring of next year

THE long-awaited Kanturk Relief Road is finally set to become a reality after it emerged this week that grant aid of almost €620,000 has been allocated to the project.

Phase 1 of the Kanturk Regeneration project, which incorporates the relief road and ancillary works, was among 26 initiatives nationwide to receive funding totalling €62 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), part of Project 2024.

Details of the allocations were announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring, who said the fund was a “game changer for rural Ireland.”

The Kanturk allocation of €619,500 will go a long way to financing the link road, which will cost €996,000 to construct, with the shortfall being made up by Cork County Council.

The road will be located on the eastern end of the proposed access road to be constructed for the new school adjacent to the Mill Road and connect to the L5067 at Bluepool Upper.

Part 8 planning was granted for the project in May of 2017 and the land for the road has been purchased and fenced off by Cork County Council.

The nest step in the process will be the completion of a detailed design after which the project will be put out to tender and a contractor appointed with a view to construction work commencing in the spring of next year.

News of the funding allocation has been warmly welcomed by local councillors, including the chair of Cork County Council’s Kanturk/Mallow Municipal District committee Cllr Bernard Moynihan (FF).

“I am delighted to welcome this funding allocation for this vitally important project. The new road will greatly reduce traffic congestion in the town centre, and provide enhanced accessibility for residents and visitors to the town alike,” said Cllr Moynihan.

“I firmly believe that this project will unlock the true potential of the town and the greater Duhallow region,” he added. Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) said the announcement on Wednesday morning was “wonderful news for Kanturk.”

“Both I my colleague Cllr Gerard Murphy have made repeated representations to Minister Ring and we wish to thank him for confirming this most welcome funding,” said Cllr O’Shea.

“Given that much of the groundwork for the project is already in place, we look forward to seeing work commence in the very near future.”