Mayor of Cork, Cllr Declan Hurley, has called for an investment in Cork roads during a meeting with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross.

Mayor Hurley said: "While I welcome the opportunity Minister Ross and acknowledge the 22% increase in funding secured after our meeting last year, I have again reiterated the importance for a return to the monies spent on roads in 2008. I also pressed the importance of upgrading the R586 between the key towns of Bandon and Bantry to national route status. This is a gateway for tourism and business in West Cork and is vital to faciliating growth in these areas."

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The pair focused talks on the requirement of transport infrastructure investment for Cork in order to realise the targets set in Cork 2050. The plan predicts that Cork is capable of creating up to 120,000 new jobs by the year 2050, with the right infrastructure.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, added: "Cork County Council has made a very strong case to Minister Ross on the necessity of increases in infrastructural investment for Cork. Such investment is crucial to enable the development of Cork as a region and to capitalise on the potential of Cork both in terms of new road projects and accelerating resurfacing works on all classes of roads across the county."

(CM/LM)