Council seeks NRA funds to make road safe

Cork County Council officials are to write to the National Roads Authority (NRA) seeking funding to make safe a 1.2km stretch of road in West Cork which has been the scene of several fatal accidents in recent years.

Sheila McDonald, a 64-year-old drapery shop assistant was the latest victim on the N71 Clonakilty- Rosscarbery road, at Bohanagh not far from Ownahincha Cross. Hercar collided with a lorry on Mar 22.

Ms McDonald, who lived in Leap, had been on her way to work in Bandon.

Cllr John O’Sullivan (FG), chairman of the council’s western committee, said it was once of the worst stretches of roads in the country and “had been the location for a quite a number of fatalities and numerous injuries”. He said it was time the council made an “impassioned plea” to the NRA to fund safety upgrading works.

Cllr Adrian Healy (FG), a first cousin of Ms McDonald, said following an earlier fatality on the road the NRA placed chevron warning markings “which are now all flattened”.

“I don’t want to see more devastation brought to West Cork families,” he added.

His party colleague Cllr Veronica Neville maintained the NRA was taking a “minimalist view” to safety by only erecting chevron signs at accident black spots.

“Over the years, the NRA will say it’s invested money on the road which they have — but only for resurfacing, not for safety upgrading. The situation is appalling. The carriageway doesn’t meet national route standards. This is a serious blackspot area and the NRA need to understand this. Action is required in the interest of public safety,” Cllr Donal O’Rourke (FF) said.

Assistant county manager Declan Daly said funding would be made available for safety works at Bohonagh junction this year. He said the council had previously met NRA officials to discuss the importance of upgrading the road from Bohonagh to New Mill where the majority of accidents occurred.

Mr Daly said the council would again meet the NRA to urge it to take action.