The local authority said funding was available to comply with a demand by the planning appeals’ board to construct a footpath leading to the proposed two-storey, 16-classroom building at Bluepool Upper.
However, the council does not have the €800,000-plus to develop an access road which An Bord Pleanála indicated would be ideal.
Councillors heard €100,000 could be made available to provide pedestrian facilities.
However, public representatives said without a “proper access road” to the new building, there could be traffic chaos in the town. The current estimated cost of the road would be €827,000.
The planne school envisages an amalgamation of the town’s two existing primary schools. Councillors said that without an access road, there would be traffic gridlock in that part of the town.
A delegation from the two school boards of management attended a municipal council debate on the issue in Mallow.
Municipal council chairman Cllr Bernard Moynihan said he was worried the town could grind to a halt if the access road was not built.
Cllr Gerard Murphy said a new access road would be of benefit to the Kanturk economy. He proposed that the council write to the Department of Education, Department of Transport and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek funding to build it.
His proposal was supported by council colleagues and also council officials.
Officials said they had already acquired a €100,000 contribution from the Department of Education to construct the footpath and this would allow them comply with the Bord Pleanála directive.