Road safety - Bypass cost takes its toll on everyone

CONTROVERSY invariably attends the opening of a new bypass, particularly when it involves an unpopular toll on local users by private operators.

Admittedly it is early days. But as evidenced by the graphic picture illustrating today’s report on the under-use of Fermoy’s €300 million bypass, many juggernaut drivers are refusing to pay over €5 a time for using the new road.

Further defeating the bypass objective, speeding trucks are making life hazardous for school-children in nearby Watergrasshill, which has become a rat-run.

Aggrieved residents there have accused the National Roads Authority (NRA) of hijacking their local road, the N8.

Meanwhile, conflict has arisen between the NRA and Cork County Council over speed limits. Clearly, this mess needs sorting out.

Arguably, Ireland should follow the practice of continental countries where long-distance juggernauts are barred from going through towns and villages once they are bypassed.