Sections of N71 in Cork in an ‘unacceptable’ state and not fit to be called a national road

By Peter McCarthy, Corkman

Parts of the N71 between Skibbereen and Bantry are crumbling and not fit to be called a national road, according to councillors who have accused Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) of neglecting the route between the two West Cork towns for years.

“The current condition of this really important route is unacceptable and brings significant safety hazards to all road users,” Cllr Caroline Cronin said at this week’s meeting of the West Cork Municipal District.

Cllr Cronin brought a motion calling on Cork County Council to write to TII asking them to undertake “immediate and urgent action” to repair and upgrade the N71 road from New Court, Skibbereen to Scart Cross near Bantry, where the N71 intersects with the R586.

The Fine Gael councillor said a part of the section between Ballydehob and Bantry is particularly bad.

“The road is subsiding on both sides, creating dangerous conditions. Parts of this road are so narrow that I’ve seen two lorries actually getting stuck together – on a national road!”

Cllr Cronin listed several other places on the N71 that need attention, including a footpath from Bantry cross to Gabriel Rangers GAA pitch that “needs to be prioritised as it’s extremely dangerous for our children to walk on this road.”

“The bend at New Court near Skibbereen is a known trap for accidents, and the stretch near Ilen Rovers pitch is extremely dangerous especially after heavy rain, there are so many pockets where the surface water can’t drain quickly enough, then you have local flooding, causing aquaplaning. Additionally, the Ardura section is a severe bone-shaker, with the entire route being a patchwork of deteriorated tar,” she said.

Cllr Joe Carroll seconded the motion.

“All of us have been banging the drum for this N71 for years. It's been totally neglected by the TII. You could not classify the N71 from Skibbereen to Bantry as a national road, it doesn’t conform with anything that makes for a national road,” he said.

The Fianna Fáil councillor added that opposition from TII means that people planning to build along the road “can’t get planning over the line.”

“My big complaint is the amount of planning that has been turned down on the road simply because the TII wouldn't be happy with an entrance coming onto the road. They've sterilised the road in actual fact.”

Responding to Cllr Cronin’s motion, Cork County Council’s Director of Services for Roads, Padraig Barrett, said the council will write to TII requesting funding to undertake pavement repair and upgrade works on those sections of the N71.