Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Lombard. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads becomes a matter for TIl, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TIl ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP.

One of these proposed schemes is an extension to the existing Bandon relief road. This road ties back into the existing road network via a steep downhill gradient. Traffic also needs to negotiate a number of roundabouts and priority junctions within the built-up area of Bandon. There is quite heavy traffic on the N71 in this area, with, as the Senator said, average daily traffic of between 9,000 and 14,000 vehicles. Heavy goods vehicles comprise approximately 5% of this traffic. The proposed relief road extension would involve bridging the R603 to remove the steep gradient and the construction of approximately 2.5 km of new single carriageway tying back into the existing N71, just to the west of the town. A public consultation was held by Cork County Council in June 2022 as part of the options selection process, and procurement of technical advisers is ongoing to advance the scheme based on the feedback received.

The route feasibility study for the Innishannon bypass - this is on another section of the N71 - was previously commenced but was not advance to conclusion as the scheme is not included in the NDP. TII has advised that the advancement of the proposed scheme cannot be accommodated in the national roads programme at this point.

A feasibility study for the Bantry bypass was previously completed by Cork County Council. This related to phase 2 of the bypass route, from the hospital around the south of the town to link back into the N71. TII has been in discussions with the local authority on advancing this. However, it is proving difficult to do so due to constraints and terrain issues. Cork County Council has, however, progressed phase 1 of the bypass scheme to the north of the town and has obtained Part 8 planning for the scheme. This will connect the hospital to the N71. The local authority and TII will be discussing the possibility of progressing this scheme, pending available funding.