Private funding needed for long-awaited Cork-Kerry roadway

Government funding will not be available for a long-awaited road project linking Cork and Kerry, according to Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

He believes the planned 43km route — including a Macroom bypass — will only be advanced through private sector funding.

There are concerns a lack of Government or EU funding could further delay the proposal to carry out what is a regarded as an essential roads project on the N22. A Macroom bypass will be a key element of the plan for the road to extend from the Ballincollig bypass to Ballyvourney.

Mr Varadkar, stressing the upgrade was a National Roads Authority priority, said it could only be progressed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The NRA’s use of PPPs involves the imposition of tolls to recoup a substantial part of private sector investment in major roads.

Replying to a Dáil question from Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, (FG), Mr Varadkar said he had started preparing the next capital roads programme which would be confined by the amount of funding available.

He said he recognised the benefit of an upgraded Ballyvourney- Ballincollig route and was “keen to see it progressed, if possible”.