Number of Storm Babet-hit bridges in East Cork will not reopen until summer
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A number of bridges in East Cork which have been closed since Storm Babet struck in October 2023 are unlikely to reopen until next summer.
Work on a damaged bridge and culverts at Pyne’s Cross near Midleton is still at design stage, councillors from the area have been told.
This is also the case with a damaged bridge at Ballinaclashy, also near Midleton.
Tenders are currently being prepared for the replacement of a collapsed bridge at Barnaviddance, near Youghal, while repairs for another bridge in that area at Ballyglassin are at design stage.
Senior executive engineer for Cork County Council Dave Clarke said it was likely these damaged bridges would remain closed until next summer.
He told councillors the situation was complicated by the fact Inland Fisheries Ireland did not permit ‘in water’ works during this time of the year.
However, Mr Clarke said the local authority would be seeking some derogation from this rule in the hope it can speed up reopenings.
In terms of roads, he said the council had undertaken “significant works” since the storm to repair damaged roads in the region.
Examining a report on Storm Babet road repairs, Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick Mulchay said “to have 90% of them completed is extraordinarily good”.
In response to a query from Independent councillor Mary Linehan-Foley, Mr Clarke said a contractor had been appointed by the council to repair land slippage caused by the storm on the road into Youghal from Inch.
Meanwhile, several councillors highlighted the need to address traffic gridlock at the Lakeview roundabout on the N25 at Midleton.
Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern said traffic build-up in most directions on the roundabout at peak times had become a critical issue.
She expressed concern the development of a new cycleway/walkway may further exacerbate the tailbacks.
Mr Clarke said the council had no plans at present to carry out further upgrades at the roundabout, as it is on a national route and is ultimately the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Ms Ahern said as a matter of urgency the council should write to TII to have it addressed, which was agreed. “They have to come in [to a council meeting] and meet with us,” she added.
Mr Linehan-Foley said traffic was backing up “to a standstill” from the Youghal side as far back as the Two Mile Inn in the morning rush-hour.
Fine Gael councillor Rory Cocking said when the council developed a slip road from the southern Ballinacurra side onto the N25 in 2019, it helped for a time, but gridlock has returned.
Ms Ahern said some pedestrians were risking their lives trying to cross the main road by the roundabout instead of using the overhead footbridge.