The development of Bantry Relief Road Phase 1 in County Cork has been unlocked with a new contract.

Fehily Timoney and Company signed a deal to deliver the detailed design of the first phase following a tender competition.

The 1km first phase will run from the existing junction on the N71 Glengarriff Road and the Slip Road to the north of the town, looping southwards close to the alignment of the former railway line re-joining existing roads at Sheskin.

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Bantry Town experiences traffic congestion as the N71 passes through the town centre with no alternative routes through the town. The N71 to the east of the Town Centre Square experiences major congestion along Marino Street to the Glengarriff Road, especially with Heavy Goods Vehicles. The proposed relief road, when complete, will help alleviate much of this through traffic.

Welcoming the contract, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins said: "This project is long awaited and when complete will provide significant relief for the town of Bantry in terms of access to the town from the northern direction including the Beara Peninsula. The scheme will allow for safer access for pupils to Colaiste Pobail, Gaelscoil Bheanntrai, and St. Finbarr's Boys schools as well as improving safety and ease of access for emergency vehicles, staff, patients and families to Bantry Hospital and Primary Care Centre."