N71 - Cork to Bandon

marno21

Another scheme proposed a few years back that is badly needed.

Type 1 DC is planned from the existing low standard DC to the N40, with road type TBA from there to Bandon. It's assumed that the grade seperated S3/S4 section around Ballinhassig/Halfway will be used as part of this project.

AugustusMinimus

What's the plan to deal with all the private access issues?

marno21

http://www.southernstar.ie/news/roundup/articles/2016/12/15/4131637-n71-into-west-cork--is-like-the-drive-into-damascus/

Must be the busiest national road in Ireland with no firm upgrade plan (that's feasible - this is still a legacy cattle track in places)

marno21

http://www.southernstar.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/01/15/4133079-councillors-upset-at-snub-over-meeting-with-ross/

Unsurprised at Ross here. Funding being sought for Inishannon BP, and also for work to be done on the Bandon relief road.

TII are going ahead with a realignment east of Rosscarbery.

KCAccidental

always though 2+2 from South Ring to Halfway is a cheap and easy win for N71.

marno21

KCAccidental wrote: »

always though 2+2 from South Ring to Halfway is a cheap and easy win for N71.

This stretch of road is already above the peak traffic volumes for a 2+2, it's Type 1 or nothing.

Vex Willems

marno21 wrote: »

http://www.southernstar.ie/news/roundup/articles/2017/01/15/4133079-councillors-upset-at-snub-over-meeting-with-ross/

Unsurprised at Ross here. Funding being sought for Inishannon BP, and also for work to be done on the Bandon relief road.

TII are going ahead with a realignment east of Rosscarbery.

It's amazing that Bandon bypass has remained the same state for so long, the Clon side is ridiculous. It must be like that nearly 20 years now!

marno21

Vex Willems wrote: »

It's amazing that Bandon bypass has remained the same state for so long, the Clon side is ridiculous. It must be like that nearly 20 years now!

A simple reconfiguration of the junction between the relief road and the Kilbrittain road would make things much smoother. Surprising it hasn't been done yet.

boardsuser1

What are they going doing by the chip van? could that stretch be straightened? I hate driving to west Cork for personal or professional reasons. the bloody train would have been better on that death trap of a road.

marno21

KC161 wrote: »

What are they going doing by the chip van? could that stretch be straightened? I hate driving to west Cork for personal or professional reasons. the bloody train would have been better on that death trap of a road.

The only firm plans for the N71 at the minute is a short realignment east of Rosscarbery. A major scheme will have to be done closer to Cork but not on FGs watch

Chris_5339762

I love the way its now officially being referred to as Chip Van corner.

boardsuser1

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

I love the way its now officially being referred to as Chip Van corner.

Is there an official name for it?
It should be called memorial corner after all the people that have died there over the years.

boardsuser1

marno21 wrote: »

The only firm plans for the N71 at the minute is a short realignment east of Rosscarbery. A major scheme will have to be done closer to Cork but not on FGs watch

That's not the road to Leap is it?

marno21

KC161 wrote: »

That's not the road to Leap is it?

No between Rosscarbery and Lissavaird as far as I know. East of where the current climbing lane is approaching the Owenahincha turnoff. The road east of there is a shambles in fairness.

The road from Ross towards Leap bar the climbing lane section could do with work too especially on approach to Ross

mickmmc

marno21 wrote: »

A simple reconfiguration of the junction between the relief road and the Kilbrittain road would make things much smoother. Surprising it hasn't been done yet.

The problem with the Bandon Relief is that the hill on the approach to the Kilbrittan Road is too high. Re-configuring the junction would be of limited benefit.

I wouldn't like to be going westbound going down that hill with a truck with a load; it could take off. Going eastbound, the truck would have to be revved to the limit to climb the hill.

As far as I am aware very few trucks use the relief road for the above reasons.

Phase II was to extend the relief road to Bandon Grammar School on the Clonakilty Road.

marno21

mickmmc wrote: »

The problem with the Bandon Relief is that the hill on the approach to the Kilbrittan Road is too high. Re-configuring the junction would be of limited benefit.

I wouldn't like to be going westbound going down that hill with a truck with a load; it could take off. Going eastbound, the truck would have to be revved to the limit to climb the hill.

As far as I am aware very few trucks use the relief road for the above reasons.

Phase II was to extend the relief road to Bandon Grammar School on the Clonakilty Road.

Been a while since I've driven though Bandon so forgot about the gradient there. There's often a queue of cars going west on the N71 at that junction at peak times all the same.

At this stage it's nearly be best to plan an outer bypass of sorts as the existing one has a lot of development on it and is very close to the town to effectively be a bypass. It's effectively an inner relief road at this stage it's been swallowed by the tiwn

KCAccidental

marno21 wrote: »

This stretch of road is already above the peak traffic volumes for a 2+2, it's Type 1 or nothing.

post-viaduct to halfway is already grade separated, i'm pretty sure.

boardsuser1

KCAccidental wrote: »

post-viaduct to halfway is already grade separated, i'm pretty sure.

About 2 miles of it roughly is it?

marno21

KC161 wrote: »

About 2 miles of it roughly is it?

The new road built in the 1990s between the end of the "dual carraigeway" and Halfway is reasonably good with only 2/3 accesses onto it and also has a GSJ for Ballinhassig. The only single carriaigeway I have seen that has 3 lanes, citybound at the GSJ with the merge lane and the climbing lane.

Here to the city, as well as joining the N40 is the issue due to the lack of space and the inability to use the current roadway.

boardsuser1

marno21 wrote: »

The new road built in the 1990s between the end of the "dual carraigeway" and Halfway is reasonably good with only 2/3 accesses onto it and also has a GSJ for Ballinhassig. The only single carriaigeway I have seen that has 3 lanes, citybound at the GSJ with the merge lane and the climbing lane.

Here to the city, as well as joining the N40 is the issue due to the lack of space and the inability to use the current roadway.

Was on this road today actually, only now have i taken notice of the works that were done on the exit to from Ballinhhassig coming from halfway,it looks like it was widened with a new merge lane added. I see so many things on the roads these days i hardly bat an eyelid but this did catch my eye.

How long ago it was done i don't know exactly, but in recent years definitely. I try and avoid 'going west' as much as possible.

marno21

KC161 wrote: »

Was on this road today actually, only now have i taken notice of the works that were done on the exit to from Ballinhhassig coming from halfway,it looks like it was widened with a new merge lane added. I see so many things on the roads these days i hardly bat an eyelid but this did catch my eye.

How long ago it was done i don't know exactly, but in recent years definitely. I try and avoid 'going west' as much as possible.

I've only been driving the N71 with 2 years so I can't say I've noticed.

Surely the traffic is the only reason you don't "go west"? Much more to see than going east

boardsuser1

marno21 wrote: »

I've only been driving the N71 with 2 years so I can't say I've noticed.

Surely the traffic is the only reason you don't "go west"? Much more to see than going east

It would have been that, maybe longer since i was last down that way.

Hopefully someone else can give a time lime on when that was done.

As for going east, i blame the O/H, she likes it

I'm going north now tomorrow along the dreaded N20, then the N72 and back via the M8.

Interesting day ahead.

marno21

KC161 wrote: »

It would have been that, maybe longer since i was last down that way.

Hopefully someone else can give a time lime on when that was done.

As for going east, i blame the O/H, she likes it

I'm going north now tomorrow along the dreaded N20, then the N72 and back via the M8.

Interesting day ahead.

Driving that road on a sunny day is torture with the volume of traffic. It's so busy on a Sunday afternoon, along with peak commuting times. The heavy traffic in both directions makes overtaking quite difficult.

Each to their own I suppose, although driving east may be easier without the 20,000 cars on the N71!

We might meet each other on the road, I've to do an N20 trip tomorrow too. No doubt we'll both be looking out the windscreen with reckless impatient faces.

marno21

Just a reminder that the N71 is closed from the Bandon Road Roundabout to Ballinhassig for the weekend, until Monday morning. Diversion via N27 Airport Road & R600/R613 through Ballinhassig.

Expect long, long, long delays. Busiest time of the year for the N71 and it's closed. The diversion route is also very busy as its peak time for flights from Cork Airport and would be busy heading towards Kinsale too.

boardsuser1

marno21 wrote: »

Just a reminder that the N71 is closed from the Bandon Road Roundabout to Ballinhassig for the weekend, until Monday morning. Diversion via N27 Airport Road & R600/R613 through Ballinhassig.

Expect long, long, long delays. Busiest time of the year for the N71 and it's closed. The diversion route is also very busy as its peak time for flights from Cork Airport and would be busy heading towards Kinsale too.

What's the purpose of the closure?

I've heard it's drainage or something?

KCAccidental

If people are heading beyond Clonakilty probably better to head out the N22 and on to the R585/6/7 and vice versa.

marno21

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

What's the purpose of the closure?

I've heard it's drainage or something?

Emergency works to a culvert near the Viaduct.

KCAccidental wrote: »

If people are heading beyond Clonakilty probably better to head out the N22 and on to the R585/6/7 and vice versa.

Or use Sarsfield Rd Roundabout and head out by Spur Hill

KCAccidental

Not closing after all according to Cork Safety Alerts on twitter

marno21

KCAccidental wrote: »

Not closing after all according to Cork Safety Alerts on twitter

Job was done in full last weekend

marno21

https://www.thecork.ie/2017/12/09/west-cork-further-investment-for-n71-but-timelines-need-to-be-improved-daly/

Daly needs to stick the boot in here and realise that pavement is not sufficient for the N71 anymore. The N71 all the way from Cork to Rosscarbery is overcapacity and there is 0km of improvements planned this side of 2021 at present which will soon be 2028.

boardsuser1

marno21 wrote: »

https://www.thecork.ie/2017/12/09/west-cork-further-investment-for-n71-but-timelines-need-to-be-improved-daly/

Daly needs to stick the boot in here and realise that pavement is not sufficient for the N71 anymore. The N71 all the way from Cork to Rosscarbery is overcapacity and there is 0km of improvements planned this side of 2021 at present which will soon be 2028.

The N71 from The Viaduct to Skibbereen could do with being HQDC the entire way.

I don't think it warrants becoming the M71 though.

As for Jim Daly, i can't say i hear very much of him in the media in general bar bits and pieces here and there.

While of course pavements are of importance, i would have been of the impression that the bad bend between Inishannon and Bandon by 'the chipper van' would have been a higher priority.

Now, i am no engineer by no means,but is straightening that stretch of road to go over rather than beside the river even possible by way of a bridge of some sort?

I recall the works done on the N22 some years ago to at least improve the road and bad bends between Macroom and Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney.

While those bends still aren't great, they are an improvement.

marno21

Cork Truck Driver wrote: »

The N71 from The Viaduct to Skibbereen could do with being HQDC the entire way.

I don't think it warrants becoming the M71 though.

As for Jim Daly, i can't say i hear very much of him in the media in general bar bits and pieces here and there.

While of course pavements are of importance, i would have been of the impression that the bad bend between Inishannon and Bandon by 'the chipper van' would have been a higher priority.

Now, i am no engineer by no means,but is straightening that stretch of road to go over rather than beside the river even possible by way of a bridge of some sort?

I recall the works done on the N22 some years ago to at least improve the road and bad bends between Macroom and Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney.

While those bends still aren't great, they are an improvement.

Traffic levels on the N71 are approx 3x the levels around Ballyvourney. They are on par with the N28 which is being upgraded to motorway. If a full appraisal of an N71 upgrade was done it would recommend motorway to at least Halfway if not Inishannon. From there to Clonakilty has traffic levels for 2+2.

It's hard to believe for a national secondary how bad the N71 is. Realignments and bend improvements won't solve much unfortunately.

Heartbreak Hank

marno21 wrote: »

Traffic levels on the N71 are approx 3x the levels around Ballyvourney. They are on par with the N28 which is being upgraded to motorway. If a full appraisal of an N71 upgrade was done it would recommend motorway to at least Halfway if not Inishannon. From there to Clonakilty has traffic levels for 2+2.

And I would think that a decent number of people who use other routes to West Cork would use the N71 if it was upgraded. The other routes, e.g. Crookstown to Dunmanway, are fairly twisty and narrow.

boardsuser1

Heartbreak Hank wrote: »

And I would think that a decent number of people who use other routes to West Cork would use the N71 if it was upgraded. The other routes, e.g. Crookstown to Dunmanway, are fairly twisty and narrow.

Yeah, had to go to Durrus and Bantry on many occasions via Crookstown and Beal Na Blath.

Not fun by no means and highly dangerous.

Halycon

Does anyone know when road resurfacing is going to take place in Bandon between The Glasslyn road roundabout and the Topaz?

I recognise that the flood works are ongoing for the next year, but the road surface is in an undriveable condition at the moment.

Could the contractor not be instructed to undergo some mitigation measures in the interim?

marno21

https://www.thecork.ie/2018/06/03/e4-million-for-ballydehob-to-bantry-n71-daly/

€4m on resurfacing one of the quieter parts of the N71 from Ballydehob to Bantry. Most Bantry-Skibb traffic doesn't use this but instead takes the faster route via the R586

Still no progress whatsoever on upgrading any of the busy parts between Cork and Skibbereen especially the section between the N40 and Rosscarbery which is operating above 120% of capacity.

marno21

The single carriageway- N71 east of Halfway is now carrying traffic volumes above the capacity of a Type 2 dual carraigeway (2+2).

If a scheme were activated on the N71 tomorrow, it would be built as minimum HQDC standard, with possible motorway restrictions.

No plans for an upgrade at present.

Aontachtoir

marno21 wrote: »

The single carriageway- N71 east of Halfway is now carrying traffic volumes above the capacity of a Type 2 dual carraigeway (2+2).

If a scheme were activated on the N71 tomorrow, it would be built as minimum HQDC standard, with possible motorway restrictions.

No plans for an upgrade at present.

Odd that it has been so completely overlooked. Maybe the relative lack of accidents on the road as it is?

Chris_5339762

I guess its a reasonably decent quality S2 with at least a small bit of lazy grade seperation and a low accident rate. No bottlenecks as it bypasses halfway apart from the roundabout. No pressing need apart from traffic levels.

Thing is, if you ask anyone "what roads do you want upgraded right now" it'd be hard to find many people who would say "N71".

marno21

Aontachtoir wrote: »

Odd that it has been so completely overlooked. Maybe the relative lack of accidents on the road as it is?

Most equivilant road needs in Cork have also been overlooked (North Ring, Midleton-Youghal, Macroom-Ovens and until last year Blarney-Mallow)

Chris_5339762 wrote: »

I guess its a reasonably decent quality S2 with at least a small bit of lazy grade seperation and a low accident rate. No bottlenecks as it bypasses halfway apart from the roundabout. No pressing need apart from traffic levels.

Thing is, if you ask anyone "what roads do you want upgraded right now" it'd be hard to find many people who would say "N71".

Bottlenecks beyond Halfway alright, Inishannon, Bandon and Clonakilty

There is a lot of people complaining about the N71 but it's mainly the parts beyond Halfway, the towns and the sections between them

Cork Trucker

marno21 wrote: »

https://www.thecork.ie/2017/12/09/west-cork-further-investment-for-n71-but-timelines-need-to-be-improved-daly/

Daly needs to stick the boot in here and realise that pavement is not sufficient for the N71 anymore. The N71 all the way from Cork to Rosscarbery is overcapacity and there is 0km of improvements planned this side of 2021 at present which will soon be 2028.

Daly is bloody useless, nothing but spin from him.

Not only is it over capacity but the road surface is bloody awful, worse than your typical Irish road surface.

From a bikers perspective it is worse again when you see the 'scarring' on the roads, where the 2 surfaces are joined but not sealed leaving an uneven line.

Just after Finbarr Galvin on the Clonakilty road is also in very poor condition, Ballinascarthy likewise. I can't say many positive things about the general area.

Leap, I won't even go there :rolleyes:

marno21

https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2019-04-09a.5&s=n71#g72

Talking about trains is a distraction from the real issue and real solution here. The only solution is an upgraded N71 & R586 - which needs to be raised as an issue locally. Buses will greatly benefit if these two roads are upgraded. Trains are gone - and not returning. A motorway from Cork to Inishannon and 2+2 beyond is what is needed.

marno21

A few lads out with paint along the Halfway-Cork section recently and the northbound climbing lane is now 800m or so shorter, a substantial gap between the 2 lanes of the climbing lane and the “dual carriageway” section.

Still no long term plans for this section carrying almost 30,000 cars daily

BelfastVanMan

Has this ridiculous retrograde step been taken in the name of safety, or what?

Cork Trucker

marno21 wrote: »

A few lads out with paint along the Halfway-Cork section recently and the northbound climbing lane is now 800m or so shorter, a substantial gap between the 2 lanes of the climbing lane and the “dual carriageway” section.

Still no long term plans for this section carrying almost 30,000 cars daily

While an M71 should be the ultimate goal what is feasible in the next 20 years?

marno21

Cork Trucker wrote: »

While an M71 should be the ultimate goal what is feasible in the next 20 years?

Resurfacing, line painting and no right turn signs would be my realistic guess.

Cork Trucker

marno21 wrote: »

Resurfacing, line painting and no right turn signs would be my realistic guess.

Feck sake, that could be done on any given day of the week.

marno21

N71 is up the wall into Inishannon, Bandon and Clonakilty at the minute to no surprise. Traffic levels are getting back to normal and all the staycationers are adding to the volume.

Should the boom in domestic tourism this summer lead to a long term revival of interest in travel to West Cork the N71 will continue to be under sustained pressure. And that’s just the added traffic. Things are bad enough at most times.

There really needs to be an integrated plan for travel into West Cork. Catering to the needs of buses, freight, cyclists and pedestrians, along with the large volume of cars. A proper West Cork Expressway (like the A55 in North Wales - one quality route to cater for traffic) would also help with the rat running and the local roads being overwhelmed with traffic

Sadly, such a plan is beyond the ambition levels at present. It’s quite a pity.

Chris_5339762

It is, desperately, but to a lot of what I would consider "West" West Cork, eg: Beara Peninsula, the N22, Loo Bridge, down to Kenmare is a decent option. For other routes, N22, Beal na Blath, Cousane Gap and down to Bantry is a far better drive.

Not a solution, but mitigation in the short term.

Edit: The Bandon Road Roundabout will be a riot this evening when everyone comes home. Staycationers are one thing, tourists Stay, but people Daytrip, so the same number of "visitors" in west Cork this year will generate a lot more trips by car.

Chris_5339762

...and while I'm giving out, Kinsale urgently needs a relief road, including another bridge.

hans aus dtschl

Yep there's very high traffic levels down west at the moment.

I suspect the reason there's no major infrastructural investment going in, is because it's considered "quaint", "scenic", "authentic" and "touristy" to have terrible infrastructure. If the government were serious about the likes of Bandon, Clon, Skib, Bantry, etc actually functioning as real living towns the infrastructure would at least be under discussion.
I believe it actually detracts from their ability to cater for tourists tbh.