Councillors and local representatives have provided updates on major infrastructure and transport developments in the Mallow area.
Cllr. Gearóid Murphy recently attended a meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to discuss key local projects, including the M20 Cork-Limerick Motorway, the Mallow Relief Road, and the Mallow-Killarney Road. Speaking on behalf of the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District, he emphasised the importance of these projects and reflected on the disappointment when funding for the Relief Road was previously withdrawn by the Department of Transport. “The TII officials were very receptive to the points I put forward,” Cllr. Murphy said. “I left the meeting with a real sense of commitment on their part to these projects into the future.”
Further detail on the N72/N73 Mallow Relief Road Project was provided by Cllr. Tony O’Shea. Cork County Council, as the sponsoring agency, is advancing the project through Phase 3 – Design and Environmental Evaluation. A Preliminary Business Case is scheduled for submission to the Department of Transport in early 2026, which, if approved, will be followed by a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). Subject to planning approval and funding, detailed design and advance site works including archaeology, fencing, and site clearance could begin in 2027. The main construction contract is expected to be awarded in 2029, with the project anticipated for completion around 2031 following a two-year build period.
An initial plan to divert a gas transmission main along the route has been replaced with a cost-effective solution, adjusting the road alignment slightly northwards to maintain sufficient cover over the gas main. This required additional design and environmental evaluation, which is now nearing completion. “These projects represent a major investment in Mallow’s future, improving traffic flow, safety, and connectivity for the region,” Cllr. O’Shea said.
In other transport news, Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, welcomed the remarkable rise in the number of people using Local Link Cork public transport services in recent years. Passenger numbers have increased from 97,000 in 2020 to over 330,000 in 2024, with figures to August 2025 already exceeding 330,000 journeys. These record-breaking figures underline the growing importance of rural transport links across Cork. “Local Link plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting economic and social activity in our rural areas,” Deputy O’Shea said.
Together, these updates highlight renewed momentum in both road infrastructure and public transport services, signalling positive developments for Mallow and the wider Cork region.
