Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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7. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on capital investment on the N71, including the Bandon relief road and the Innishannon bypass. [10273/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In the context of the National Roads Programme capital budget, which is provided by my Department to TII, significant funding has been provided towards the improvement of the N71 since 1994, funding a variety of improvement schemes.

TII has provided my Department with details of a number of schemes that are relevant to the route.

One proposed scheme is an extension to the existing Bandon Relief Road. Currently this road ties back into the existing road network via a very 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 average daily traffic of between 9,000 and 14,000 vehicles. Heavy Goods Vehicles comprise up to 5% of this traffic. The proposed relief road extension would involve bridging the R603 to remove the steep gradient and the construction of approximately 2.5km 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.

Regarding the Innishannon Bypass, the Route Feasibility study was previously commenced but was not advanced to conclusion as this scheme is not included in the NDP. TII have advised that the advancement of this proposed scheme therefore cannot be accommodated in the National Roads Programme at this point in time.

A Feasibility Study for the Bantry Bypasswas completed previously by Cork County Council. This was in relation to Phase 2 of the bypass route, from the Hospital around the south of the Town to link back into the N71. TII have been in discussions with the Council on advancing this, however it is proving difficult due to constraints and terrain issues. Cork County Council have however progressed Phase 1 of the bypass scheme to the north of the town and have obtained part 8 planning for the scheme. This will connect the Hospital to the N71. The Council and TII will be discussing the possibility of progressing this scheme, pending available funding.