Statement from the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley on the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Motorway

On behalf of Cork County Council, together with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, I warmly welcome the decision made by the Supreme Court, on Monday March 1st, to reject further grounds to appeal against the long overdue upgrade of the road to Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy.

This 12.5km, €220m scheme, from Cork to Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy, is the last piece of the jigsaw that will see the ports of Belfast, Dublin and Cork connected by a high-quality road network. It is critical both nationally and for the entire Cork region and is specifically identified in the National Development Plan, part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040.

The scheme will improve access for communities and industries in the Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy area and is part of an all-round approach to safe and sustainable transport for the Cork region that includes the Carrigaline Western Relief Road, the Cork Harbour Greenway and the ongoing Dunkettle Interchange upgrade.

The project will support the strategic development of the port facilities at Ringaskiddy, including the relocation of the container terminal from Tivoli to Ringaskiddy which is vital for connecting the region to Europe following Brexit.

We will now begin the detailed design and tendering process with works including fencing, service diversions and archaeology expected to commence in the next year.