Fermoy toll bypass opens ahead of schedule

The newly opened M8 toll bypass will greatly improve the lives of the residents of Fermoy and Rathcormac, it was claimed today.

The €295 million bypass was officially opened this morning by

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen

The 17.5-kilometre road, which opened nine months ahead of schedule, will take 17,000 vehicles a day off the streets of Fermoy and Rathcormac, the Minister said. It is expected to shorten travel time between Cork and Dublin by half an hour.

The toll charges for the bypass are €1.60 for a car and €2.90 for a coach. The toll for the largest heavy vehicles will be €4.90.

Mr Cullen said the road said it would be of great benefit to local people and businesses. "This new bypass will make a major difference to everyone who uses the Dublin to Cork Route and will change the transport experience in a positive way for thousands of people every day," he said.

Motorists travelling from Cork to Dublin and not willing to pay for using the motorway can use the existing Watergrasshill bypass and leave the main road before reaching the toll barriers. Those driving in the opposite direction can use the old route through Fermoy and Rathcormac and rejoin the M8 before the Watergrasshill bypass begins.

A number of residents of nearby Watergrasshill held a protest at the new arrangements, which will see several thousand vehicles pass through their village. protested at the opening of the new road. They claim the redirecting non-toll traffic off the M8 will have a "devastating impact" on their village.

"The new road layout effectively confiscates the original bypass and forces huge volumes of traffic back through the village," said Denis Dineen Chairman of the Bypass Committee of Watergrasshill Community Council.

"We are fearful for the lives of children attending the National School as there are no traffic calming measures in place and all traffic coming into the village from Cork city will pass the school."

The National Roads Authority has promised to spend €2 million on a traffic calming scheme to actively discourage through traffic from using Watergrasshill.

Cork Chamber Chief Executive Conor Healy said the bypass will offer residents of Rathcormac and Fermoy much-needed relief from congestion. However, Mr Healy called on the Government and teh NRA to complete a number of other road projects in the region, including the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road flyovers.

In addition, "the failure to commit to the upgrade of the N28 road from Ringaskiddy and to the completion of the Cork North Ring Road is a major source of concern," Mr Healy said.