Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware of the pressing need to develop the existing Bandon relief road. The town has been waiting years for this improvement but at the current pace, it will be years before the project is completed. It is a historic walled town with a strong community of businesses and local infrastructure. Outdoor spaces have really enhanced the area recently. However, large numbers of heavy goods vehicles and other large vehicles are being forced through the town because of the inadequacy of the relief road. That has a serious impact. The planning and design phase of the new road is due to be finished by late 2024. How much longer will it take for it to be completed? The current plans do not address the two river crossings where the traffic bottlenecks or the dangerous junction at Baxter’s Bridge and the Dunmanway Road. This project is being funded under Project Ireland 2040, which is increasingly looking like the completion date. Can the Minister reassure us that is not the case?

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