Relief in Kanturk as ring road to proceed
LONG suffering car users who have been held up by traffic in Kanturk will be relieved to hear that the long-awaited Kanturk Relief Road is a step closer after it was confirmed this week that the €827k contract for its construction will be out to tender within two weeks.
Back in October, grant aid of almost €620,000 had been allocated to the project by previous Rural Affairs Minister Michael Ring. This was added to by Cork County Council.
But then COVID-19 happened and the next stage was delayed but now, according to Cllr Bernard Moynihan of Fianna Fáil, the contract is ready to be put out to tender.
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. nty 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 next 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 latest significant milestone 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.
It is expected that the tendering process will take a number of months and that there should be boots on the ground in October or November at the latest.