Two West Cork road schemes put back to 2027

A Cork County Council report also shows several flood-prevention projects are yet to get under way

Road realignment at Dromdeegy on the R585 and improvement works at Boher/Scart on the R572 have both been pushed into next year. File picture: Denis Minihane

Two West Cork road schemes have been deferred until 2027, according to a council report which also shows several flood-prevention projects yet to get under way. 

Road realignment at Dromdeegy on the R585  and improvement works at Boher/Scart on the R572 have both been pushed into next year, according to the report by Cork County Council. 

The schemes feature in separate programmes covering road safety and climate resilience. 

The report gives no reason for either postponement. The update, covering progress to September 30, was presented to the council’s Western Division meeting on October 19.

The Dromdeegy project, about 10km north of Dunmanway, involves realigning the road under the council’s safety improvement programme. 

At Boher/Scart, near Castletownbere, the proposed work would extend previous improvements along an unimproved section of the regional road.

Several other drainage and flood-resilience schemes were recorded at 0% completion at the end of September, although they were not listed as deferred. 

These include works at Trafrask West on the R572 to increase drainage capacity during storms and stabilise the road edge, and replacement of a stone culvert on Dunbeacon Road.

Drainage improvements at Ballydevlin and Ballyrisode on the R591 were each recorded as 25% complete, while works at Altar on the R592 stood at 30%. 

Other projects were further advanced. 

Raising road levels between Durrus and Ahakista to reduce flooding was complete, while work to raise tidal walls and road levels at Rossbrin, near Schull, stood at 90%.

During the discussion, Fine Gael councillor John Michael Foley stressed the importance of maintaining drainage as autumn leaves fall. He said drainage works were critical to keeping roads clear across the western region.

Fianna Fáil councillor George Gill echoed that call, warning that vegetation could block drains and leave recently resurfaced roads vulnerable during heavy rainfall. 

Mr Gill said the benefits of resurfacing could be undone if floodwater washed roads away. He urged the council to ensure drains were checked at this time of year.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.