NRA faces calls to redesignate key energy route

The National Roads Authority is to be asked to designate the Midleton-Whitegate road in Co Cork as a primary route due to its strategic importance to the nation’s energy needs.

County engineer Noel O’Keeffe told councillors in County Hall yesterday that three power stations and the country’s only refinery were located in Whitegate, providing 30% of the country’s energy requirements.

“Whitegate is one of most strategic locations in Ireland,” said Mr O’Keeffe. “It has two ESB generating stations, one run by Bord Gáis, and it also has the refinery. It’s very important the road there is designated as a national primary route.”

He spoke after Cllr Noel Collins (Ind) said the road between Midleton and Whitegate had deteriorated rapidly in recent times.

Mr Collins said he recently went on a two-hour walkabout with residents of Saleen on the Midleton-Whitegate road who were concerned about the dangers posed by the large amount of heavy vehicles passing their village.

During the walkabout, fears were also expressed about the condition of the road itself, said Mr Collins.

“These fears were not only expressed by residents but by a member of gardaí,” he said. “They said the camber on the road from Saleen to Whitegate is not up to the standard required to accommodate the heavy vehicles using it.

“It should be designated a national primary road because of the refinery alone. I wish the county engineer luck with his mission to have it designated that way.”

Cllr Michael Hegarty (FG) said he also hoped the NRA would redesignate the route.

If that happens, the NRA would be responsible for providing funds for its upgrading and upkeep, which the cash-strapped county council could not afford.

Meanwhile, Cllr Collins welcomed news that the council was about to introduce traffic-calming measures in Saleen.

Council engineers reported that, because the main road was so wide (12.5 metres) in the area, it “was conducive to traffic travelling in excess of the 50k/h speed limit”. It is proposed to reduce the width of the road and provide proper footpaths in the area.

Some councillors wondered if it was better to delay the project until they had been advised if the NRA would take over the route.

However, the Mayor of Co Cork, Cllr Barbara Murray (FG), said that the traffic-calming should begin immediately. Acting county manager Moira Murrell agreed, saying the traffic-calming and road designation were separate issues.