Flyover safety fears spark probe

THE Health and Safety Authority has conducted an investigation into multi-million euro works on a flyover at one of the country’s busiest roundabouts amid concern that an accident at the site is waiting to happen.

HSA spokesperson Niamh Parnell confirmed yesterday that inspectors from the authority had visited the Kinsale Road roundabout site following complaints.

She added that further site visits were also planned, but declined to comment on discussions which had taken place between HSA inspectors and the works contractors, Ascon.

Ascon was unavailable for comment yesterday.

One of the complaints was lodged by a county councillor who claimed that the site was relatively open and unguarded at night.

Cllr Peter Kelly, the leader of the majority Fine Gael party on Cork County Council, said he was so concerned by what he saw that he had personally made a complaint to the HSA.

“There is an appalling state of health and safety. It is incumbent on the HSA to intervene,” he said.

Meanwhile, claims have been made by other county councillors that major traffic delays will be experienced by motorists unless gardaí are called into the area at peak times.

Following calls from Cllr Deirdre Forde, FF, the county council is to request garda cooperation with diversions. Cllr Kevin Murphy, FG, said it was essential that traffic lights be put in place on the roundabout at the Kinsale road side.

Cork county engineer Ned Flynn said this would be done.

A progress report issued on the project states that one of the abutments of the western bridge span has now been completed and work is now starting on the one on the eastern side.

Works west of the roundabout are ongoing, both north and south of the existing road. Overall, the works remain on course for completion by March 2007.

Work on the Dunkettle interchange is also on target for completion by February 2006.