Chapter 4 I Transport and Mobility
Southern Distributor Link Road (SDLR)
4.128 The N40 currently conveys a significant proportion of east-west trips in the South City Area and is operating over capacity. 4.129 This over-reliance on the N40 for private vehicle trips allied to limited sustainable transport connectivity has resulted in significant congestion at several pinch-points including Douglas Village and the Kinsale Road Roundabout. To address the significant shortfall in local connectivity in the Southern Environs area, CMATS has identified the requirement for a comprehensive, multi-modal SDLR. The SDLR will comprise of a new Douglas bridge, an upgrade to existing roads including the Grange Road and a new road to connect the N27 to Sarsfield Road. 4.130 At time of writing this City Development Plan, consultants have been appointed by Cork City Council to appraise and design the new road and a number of route options are emerging.
4.125 The Southern Distributor Link Road is specifically identified in CMATS as one of a limited number of new road-based projects required to facilitate the sustainable movement of people, goods and services, and to complement public transport, walking, cycling and traffic management objectives. 4.126 The Southern Distributor Link Road is a critical component of the CMATS and is a proposed new road link between the N27 and Sarsfield Road with the potential to also link to the N71 via Lehenaghmore and Spur Hill and could also provide enhanced connectivity to Cork Airport with a potential secondary access point. 4.127 The current road network within the SDLR study area does not include a direct east-west link between the southern extent of Sarsfield Road and the N27. Road users wishing to travel between Sarsfield Road and the N27 travel a circuitous route along Spur Hill, Togher Road, Lehenaghmore Road and Forge Hill, or alternatively use the N40 to the north.
SOUTHERN DISTRIBUTOR LINK ROAD
Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028 I Volume 1 The indicative study area for the Southern Distributor Link Road is outlined in the sketch above. Figure 4.10: SDLR Study Area.
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