The new €20M Carrigaline Western Relief Road was officially opened in Cork by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey.
AtkinsRéalisRéalis was appointed by Cork County Council as lead designer and Employer’s Representative for construction. The scheme involved 0.75km of urban single carriageway road in Carrigaline town centre, including a double span bridge over the Owenabue River, retaining walls, three signal-controlled junctions, utilities works, traffic signing, street lighting, drainage attenuation measures, and hard and soft landscaping.
‘Pottery Road’ or ‘Bóthar na Potaireachta’ was selected as the new name for the Carrigaline Western Relief Road which was partially constructed on the former Carrigaline Pottery site. It will provide an alternative route for traffic through the centre of Carrigaline.
By removing traffic from Main Street, the scheme will enable the implementation of the Carrigaline Transportation and Public Realm Enhancement Plan (TPREP), thus providing major improvements to the urban environment and the quality of life for residents. It will also enable the development of lands within town centre for retail and commercial use, thus providing employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth.
Speaking at the Official Opening, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins commented, “We are here today to mark a historic development for the town of Carrigaline, one which signals further growth and prosperity for the area. While we celebrate this progress, the town’s past has not been forgotten. Carrigaline was well known for its pottery for several decades. Indeed, Carrigaline Pottery was the main source of employment in the town for many years before closing in 1979. The opening today of Pottery Road brings with it a new era of growth, with safer, more sustainable travel choices for those who live and work in Carrigaline and the surrounding areas. I look forward to seeing the community enjoy all the benefits that this will bring.”
Richard Neuling, Technical Director at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Carrigaline Western Relief Road is an exciting project for AtkinsRéalis, which saw us act as both lead designer and Employer’s Representative for construction. The opening of the road will remove traffic from Main Street in Carrigaline, enabling enhancement of the public realm and the development of lands within the town centre to stimulate economic growth. The scheme includes significant active travel measures designed for cyclists and pedestrians, which will promote more sustainable transport modes in the town and lead to a reduction in carbon emissions.”
Officially opening the new road in Carrigaline, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said, “The Western Relief Road will greatly improve safety and accessibility for the community, bringing real positive change in the daily lives of those who live and work in Carrigaline. The development has laid the foundation for new homes and community facilities in the future. It will encourage economic growth, supporting further investment and employment to the region. I look forward to seeing Carrigaline go from strength to strength in the years ahead and wish all who travel on the road a safe journey.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “Carrigaline Western Relief Road will significantly reduce traffic congestion on Main Street, as well as providing a safer environment for all road users. The overall scheme was designed to also enable future development of housing units through the provision of essential services such as wastewater pumping stations and a watermain along the extent of the scheme. Active travel measures were also carefully incorporated to provide alternative travel options for those living and working in the area. The Relief Road provides the infrastructure for the ongoing development of the county’s largest town and is one of a number of exciting projects planned for Carrigaline over the coming years.”
Main photo: (left to right) Philip Hazelwood, Resident Engineer, AtkinsRéalis Ireland; Tim Lucey, Chief Executive, Cork County Council; Cllr Danny Collins, Mayor, Cork County Council; Bernadette Janeczek, Project Manager, AtkinsRéalis Ireland; Martin Jennings, Technical Director, AtkinsRéalis Ireland.
