Safety concerns raised as vehicles getting caught at 'pinch points' near popular West Cork attraction
Safety concerns have been raised over the narrow and overgrown road leading to the Dursey Island cable car — as well as campervans getting stuck heading to Mizen Head — as visitor numbers increase during the summer season.
Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said campervans and cars were struggling to pass each other at several pinch points along the route.
He raised the issue at a recent meeting of Cork County Council’s Western Divisional Committee.
Mr Harrington acknowledged cutting roadside hedges and vegetation was generally the responsibility of landowners but asked whether the council could intervene at particularly dangerous corners and narrow sections because of the volume of traffic travelling to the cable car.
“The road is quite narrow there and, given the fact that the cable car is a huge attraction, it is making the road much busier,” he said.
“There are a few pinch points that are quite narrow. Even if a campervan meets a car, they can’t pass, which is causing traffic jams.”
Mr Harrington said vehicles were being forced to reverse until they could find somewhere to pull in.
He said the difficulties were also affecting the TFI bus service operating along the route.
Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin said similar problems were being reported on the road to Mizen Head and on other roads across West Cork. “I’m getting calls every day about campervans getting stuck on the road to the Mizen as well,” she said.
Ms Cronin said she had gone out at 7am to deal with overgrown grass at several dangerous junctions following complaints from residents.
She said there had been reports of near misses involving children walking towards a village, leaving parents extremely worried.
The meeting heard limited cutting could be carried out where vegetation posed a safety risk.
The issue is to be referred to the council’s roads section and the relevant municipal district.