Public representatives, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland abandon Char-leville once more.
All the promises made last May from our local elected representatives, to prioritise the relief road for Charleville have failed dismally.
Those promises came following two pedestrians fatalities in April and May 2023.
On 23rd May 2023 Transport Infrastructure Ireland committed to build a relief road for Char-leville.
However the recent announcements from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, on their grant funding allocations to local authorities, for national roads is completely inadequate, in relation to the relief road.
It’s an insult to the Comm-unity of Charleville, with the minimal amount of €50,000 granted, towards a feasibility study for the relief road.
There is something seriously wrong, when a town that has lost 10 pedestrians in as many years, all involving High Goods Vehicles (HGVS) have to continue expe-riencing being ignored by Cork County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
It’s very frustrating to read a comment, from Fine Gael County Councillor Tony O’Shea, after the grant allocation was announced for Mallow.
He stated “The Mallow bypass is a key priority project for Cork County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. All councillors in North Cork, all political parties and none, fought hard for the Mallow Bypass Project to be reignited in 2024”
Charleville Community Forum Chairperson Evelyn O’Keeffe outlined “that statement speaks volumes, when it comes to political will for the Charleville Relief Road”
The people of Charleville and surrounding areas, who support the need for a relief road in Charleville, should take up the challenge, along with the Charleville Community Forum, and show the stakeholders they are not fooling the people of Charleville any longer.
We are meeting shortly to plan our next course of action, if any member of the public would like to make any suggestions to us please email: Charlevillecomunity forom@gmail.com
Charleville is a vibrant business town, with many facilities, and industries growing rapidly.
There is no doubt Charleville could be such a better town, if the high volume of HGVs was removed from the Main Street. The hazard to pedestrian safety would be greatly reduced, the atmosphere on the streets would be so different, without the humdrum of HGVs driving through the Main Street.
The serious environmental health risks concerning monoxide and dioxide emissions would also be addressed.
The current county development plan, contains a submission for a relief road that comes from the Cork side, past the railway station on the eastern side, and comes out on the northern side of the town.
That plan is there for over 15 years.
Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, should look at CVUOI in the county development plan and act on it immediately.
Cork County Council, and the Transport Infrastructure Ireland, have a record in 2019 highlighting that the Main Street of Charleville, has being identified as a high collision location, following a review of collision data, that is 5 years ago.
In 2024, Charleville is allocated €50,000 for a feasibility study for a relief road.
Our local representatives who say this is good news need a reality check.
Of course we know this can all change, like we see in Adare the bypass is fast-tracked by two years to accommodate the Ryder Cup.
That is good news for Adare. The people of Charleville and surroun-ding, areas are only seeking a relief road to save lives, and improve health risks.
How come this is not a Priority?
Charleville Community Forum, have yet to receive a response to their motion, given to Councillor Ian Doyle on the 29th January to arrange a meeting for them with Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
They recently met with Minister Jack Chambers, where they outlined their disappointment on the lack of commitment from government, for the relief road for Charleville.
Their fears of what will happen, when Cork Port returns to operating to full capacity in 2027 presently its 50%.