A recent global study has found Cork to be one of the most congested cities in the world when it comes to traffic.

The survey from satellite navigation company TomTom listed Cork City as the 38th most congested in the world - ahead of London, Rome and Toronto.

Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has written to Cork City Council to urge them to implement traffic solutions.

On Newstalk Breakfast, Ms Ní Mhurchú said commuters are "losing hours" to congestion.

"The congestion is detrimental to people trying to get to school and to work and to businesses," she said.

"It's worsening air quality and increasing commuter time."

Strategies

Ms Ní Mhurchú has proposed a number of strategies to tackle the issue.

"I've written to the Chief Executive of Cork City to consider implementing a number of measures such as traffic cameras and a traffic study by experts," she said.

"If we don’t know what the flashpoints are and what the problems are then we can’t solve them."

Ms Ní Mhurchú also said Cork should focus on improving safety in instant response times.

"There was a big enough issue on Saturday last on the South Ring Road where a vehicle caught fire on the exit for Douglas Village and there was a backup for hours," she said.

"Responding to accidents should not result in hours of tailback and congestion."

Picture shows early morning traffic flow on the N40 at Mahon, Cork, Ireland - David Creedon / Alamy Live News

Public transport also has a role to play in tackling Cork City's traffic, Ms Ní Mhurchú said.

"Cork City needs improved bus services with clear bus lanes - I know from talking to constituents that the bus network is not what it used to be," she said.

"They also need to include more park and ride services."

Park and ride services allow drivers to commute to a location near public transport connections and leave their car in order to continue their journey on a tram, train or bus.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said Cork City currently only has one facility which has the capacity for 900 cars.

While this park and ride service is "fantastic", she said the city needs more in order to encourage people to take public transport for part of their commute.

Feature image shows traffic in Cork City, Alamy.