There was widespread relief among business owners, retailers and residents this week as the section of N72 between Oliver’s Cross and Monanimy Cross finally reopened to traffic following major roadworks. It means that the N72 from Mallow to Fermoy is free from road closures for the first time since mid September last year.

The Oliver’s Cross section reopened on Wednesday this week. Three major schemes were carried out on the road over the past eight months, the Carrig Realignment Scheme, the Carrig Castletownroche Realignment Scheme and the Ballyhooly Fermoy Overlay Scheme. The Ballyhooly Fermoy scheme and the Carrig Realignment Scheme are fully complete, however some works remain to be completed on the Carrig Castletownroche scheme. They’ll be carried out using localised traffic management where required. Those works are expected to finish up at the end of the month.

TRADE SUFFERED

Business owners on all of the affected routes had complained of much disruption to trade while the works were ongoing, with some reporting up to a 40% fall-off in takings. Not only did they suffer a significant drop in passing trade, but they also complained of a drop in local custom, as the nature of some of the diversions meant people living close to places like Ballyhooly and Castletownroche had to take long detours to get there and instead chose to go to Fermoy or Mallow  to shop.

“I welcome the reopening of this stretch of road today and the fact that it means all roadworks on the N72 are now substantially complete. While the roadworks were badly needed and will go far in improving safety on what was a dangerous stretch of road, I fully appreciate the hardship suffered by business owners and the inconvenience to residents. They are to be complimented for their forebearance,” said Minister of State Sean Sherlock.