N22 - Macroom to Ballyvourney (Macroom Bypass) [open to traffic]

Very interesting report. It looks like some people kind of expected that when this road was provided, that there might be an uptick in cycling and walking. Even the TII themselves seem to be a bit myopic about it: "we'll see what it's like in 5 years on completion of other schemes facilitated by this one". It's almost like they just don't understand that if you don't provide pedestrian and cycle priority, all the other road projects in the world will just increase car usage. There's even a line to the tune of "anecdotally, more people walk now" even though the measured result is an 8% decrease :D

I am glad to have the bypass, but really don't think there will be any meaningful uptick in cycling or walking in Macroom from those other schemes either. The town will still be just a big car park, albeit less ugly and miserable than before because of the reduced traffic and improved surface works.

Yes, a good hub. That's either as a commuter town or as a tourist location. Villages, like Cloughduv, are expanding rapidly now. Macroom should be able to carry an expanding pop as well. Many other villages are limited by lack of sewage infrastructure. It's ironic that one of the reasons for the bypass delay was that some business interests in the town were opposed to it. Great to get up and down to Kerry, and has made a massive difference to the town on mart day, Saturday.