The Save the Lee Valley Campaign was jubilant last night following news that one of Cork's premier amenity areas will not fall prey to a new motorway between Ballincollig and Ballvourney on the main Cork/Killarney Road.
Four possible routes were identified, but three of them, according to the campaign, would have interfered with the ecology and environment of the Lee Valley and forever altered its amenity value. One of the campaigners, Ms Nora Norton, stressed last night that members were not anti-roads but from the outset, had sought to protect the Lee Valley.
Now that this appeared to have been achieved, she added, the campaign would not be wound up, but would continue to help other groups who felt under threat from infrastructure proposals.
Following a joint meeting of Macroom Town Council and Cork County Council earlier in the week, the route known as the "yellow route" was selected by councillors as the preferred option for the upgrading of the N22 which will now bypass Macroom before leading to Ballyvourney.
The proposal would cost in the region of €180 million and involve almost 29 kms of new or upgraded road, basically following the existing road, one of the busiest tourism routes in the State.
While the option is the most expensive of the four, its acceptance, according to the Save the Lee Valley Campaign, means there will be no interference with the wildlife, ecology or amenity value of the valley. The route will not involve displacement of home owners, but land between Ballincollig and Ballyvourney will be compulsorily purchased. Landowners affected by the decision will meet council officials and the NRA later in the month.