Mallow bypass plan steps up a gear

A campaign to have plans for a northern bypass of Mallow reactivated by government has moved up a gear.

The ‘Unblock Mallow’s Heart’ campaign highlights the need to unblock its congested streets and is organised by Mallow Representative Group (MRG) — a collaboration of members of Mallow Chamber of Commerce, Mallow Development Partnership, local industry and businesses.

A recent study showed that building a bypass — connecting the main Fermoy and Mitchelstown roads with the Cork-Limerick road — would deliver €90m in economic benefits to the town.

The report was recently presented to Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe. It also estimates that employment could increase by between 5%-10% in the town and surrounding areas.

The town has more than 2,000 people signing on the live register. The MRG claims the delivery of the new piece of infrastructure is the single most important issue facing Mallow.

Chairman of Mallow Development Partnership, John McDonnell, said:“Local residents, passing traffic and our business community have all suffered because of congestion in Mallow for much too long now. It is incomprehensible in this day and age that a town of our size and standing has been literally left to choke.

“We have had two false dawns already and have been consistently let down by failure to deliver the new bypass we so desperately need. This time we are appealing to the wider public to lend their support to our campaign to ‘Unblock Mallow’s Heart.’

The report says the new route will revitalise the town centre, support job creation, reduce journey times, improve road safety, maximise connectivity with other key routes, facilitate expansion in the agri-food sector and boost tourism and other services.

The MRG says it is utterly determined to see the traffic congestion alleviated and create a more positive impression and experience for locals and visitors.

Kevin O’Keeffe, president of Mallow Chamber of Commerce, said he was hugely encouraged by the level of support received to date.

“We have received cross-party political support but with a general election less than a year away, it is imperative that in return for votes for any one candidate or other, we have our project included on the Government’s Capital Investment Programme,” he said.