Major Cork road projects not moving fast enough, says Cork Chamber

Cork Chamber has warned that major road projects such as the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road and N25 are moving too slowly despite welcome funding announcements on the Macroom and Castleymartyr bypass.
 
“The new Cork to Ringaskiddy road is critical to opening up the Docklands in Cork to housing development and enabling the port to move its operations completely to Ringaskiddy. This is a project that needs to be delivered by the end of 2026. Despite the welcome announcement of €19m for the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy upgrade the indications we are getting is that this key route will not be commenced until 2026, or after, based on the current rate of progress. We have to see this project accelerated, it holds the key to solving the housing shortage in the city and enabling the port to become a global hub and support our trade and energy ambitions,” said Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy.
 
“The upgrade and creation of an interchange on N25 to Midleton is another key enabler to both industrial development and housing delivery given its critical role in unlocking the Ballyadam IDA site and reducing congestion on the key route into the city from many of the new housing developments planned or in the pipeline around Midleton and Carrigtohill,” he said.
 
“This is another project that requires acceleration and funding if development to the East of the city is to reach its potential and to put in place a proper transport network to support growth.”
 
“We welcome the funding announcements on the Macroom and Castlemartyr bypasses and the M20 Cork to Limerick road but the M28 and N25 are absolutely crucial for the economic development of Cork and the delivery of badly needed housing supply for the city region,” he said.