Narrow bridge at Adrigole is so narrow that it poses an obstacle for articulated lorries
BY JACKIE KEOGH
‘NOT fit for purpose’ is how Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy (FF) described a bridge on the main road leading to Ireland’s biggest fishing port.
Cllr Murphy said the narrow bridge at Adrigole is so narrow that it poses an obstacle for articulated lorries travelling that route every day.
Speaking at a meeting of the Western Committee of Cork County Council the councillor outlined the significant economic importance of Castletownbere and said the project should be prioritised.
He also raised the issue about a second bridge at Allihies saying that money had been earmarked to repair the structure, but the project has since disappeared off the programme of works.
It emerged that the funding had been used to deal with a mudslide in the locality. But Tom Stritch, the Council’s director of roads and transport, said the local authority was aware of the need to do the work and added: ‘If funding was forthcoming we would proceed with it.’
Mr Stritch said the County Council is acutely aware of the need to improve the road to Castletownbere, but said there is ‘a huge queue of jobs’ that needs to be completed in West Cork.
Each of the councillors identified problems in their areas. Danny Collins (Ind) asked for the N71 from Ballydehob to Bantry to be upgraded.
Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind) complained about water table issues on the road from Enniskeane to Crookstown and the newly co-opted Cllr John O’Sullivan (FG) asked that additional parking be provided at the church as Lislee in Butlerstown.
Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) suggested that the hospital junction at Clonakilty should be realigned because it is very hard to enter and exit at that busy junction.
Cllr Hayes said that the road to the graveyard in Kilcrohane is too narrow and needs ‘a place to pass.’ And he called for coach parking bays in Clonakilty.
Cllr Aidan Lombard (FG) asked why Church Bay in Crosshaven is not on the list. He said: ‘We need a route to the sea to take the storm water. Why was it dropped from the programme?’
