Officials met over major southside disruption
15:28, 05 Feb 2026Updated 16:41, 05 Feb 2026
Congestion in Lehenaghmore
Building crews have agreed to work longer hours in a bid to fast-track disruptive roadworks – after a road closure caused traffic chaos on Cork city’s southside.
Traffic jams have stretched from the site of the works in Lehenaghmore, Togher, all the way to the N40 South Ring and Airport Hill, with many residents stuck in in their cars and homes for hours. This week city officials and representatives of building contractor OBR met and agreed that building crews will “work extended hours, including on Saturdays” in a bid to fast-track the project.
The works, partly to facilitate the building of 150 much-needed family homes, caused the closure of Pouladuff Road, between Togher Road and Forge Hill. Diversions, lane closures and stop-go systems in the affected area have caught many locals by surprise. But it’s now hoped that those works, originally scheduled to last four weeks, will be completed in just over a fortnight.
In a statement sent to elected members of Cork City Council and seen by CorkBeo, the Council apologised for the traffic chaos: “Cork City Council would like to apologise for traffic disruption caused in and around the Lehenaghmore area, and set out what steps are being taken to minimise disruption in the weeks ahead.”
The Council added: “It has been confirmed that the road closure came into effect at 11am on Tuesday and that the section remained closed overnight, impacting a school run period for the first time on Wednesday morning.”
Road closure in the area
The statement explained the detail of the works: “The work involves the installation of foul, storm, and watermain services across Pouladuff Road from the new Glenmore Heights scheme to service the proposed 155‑unit CruiscÃn Aird housing development, which was approved by Cork City Council under the Part 8 planning process last year. A deep trench up to 6-metres deep is required.
The Council also highlighted that residents were informed of the road closure in mid-January: “The temporary road closure was readvertised on January 15, 2026, including the diversion route, and inviting further submissions. Approval was granted on January 26, 2026 for the temporary closure of the road from February 2 to 28, 2026.”
The Council added that “details of the closure were included in the weekly update of road closures on the city council’s website, and were included on the Cork city map alerts system on January 30, 2026. Notification of the road closure was issued on January 27 and a traffic‑management plan was circulated in the area on January 30.”
Cork City Council warned that “motorists should expect delays, provide extra time for their journeys, plan alternative routes and follow the diversion signs. Cork City Council would like to thank people for their patience during these essential works.”