Calls in Tipperary for action on roads dubbed ‘accidents waiting to happen’

Councillors in Nenagh say they are concerned that some roads are not prioritised by the TII because they do not have an accident history.

Elected members raised concerns at the December sitting of Nenagh Municipal District Council about a number of roads, including Quarry Lane in Ballina and the junction at Ashley Park.

A representative from the council’s road section agreed saying:

“Some of these junctions are accidents waiting to happen, but that doesn’t carry much weight as need is judged on accident history. If it doesn’t have that, it suffers.”

Cllr Phyll Bugler said she did not think this stance was acceptable.

“I think that’s very bad that we have to wait for three or 14 accidents.

“It sends out a bad message,” said Cllr Bugler. Councillor Ger Darcy told those at the meeting that there was a crash at a junction the day before in his area.

He said nobody was injured, but the cars were ‘smashed up’ and “it could have been much worse.”

Cllr Darcy said this is the second accident on that stretch recently.

“Only when they are really serious does anyone do anything,” said Cllr Darcy.

He also said the junction on the N52 at the meat factory is very dangerous.

He said he has been raising concerns about that junction but that Transport Infrastructure Ireland say it is “adequate.”

“All those junctions are bloody dangerous,” said Cllr Darcy.

According to the Engineer’s Checklist, this section of the N52 had been previously investigated by TII.

However, they said they were not prepared to make any adjustments on the road. Cllr Bugler said that progress on Quarry Lane was very slow and asked the director of roads to look at it again.

“Children are walking there at times with no lights, and it's very very dangerous,” said Cllr Bugler.

Cllr Rocky McGrath said that Quarry Lane has been a problem for as long as he can remember.

“It’s such a narrow dark dark little land. It's treacherous, especially for children.”

Cllr Michael O’Meara raised concerns about the junction at R438 to N65, which he said needs additional signage.

He said there was a recent incident where a car just went “straight through.”

He said while there were no injuries, he would like the TII to take a look.

“I think there is a job of work to be done there,” said Cllr O’Meara.

Some councillors were concerned about Ashley Park and asked for the junction to be looked at again as it remains quite dangerous.

The director for the council’s road section, Marcus O’Connor, said that the Ashley Park junction was on the TII’s “radar.”

“Ashley Park junction is constantly raised with TII. They are looking at it. It might not be everything that we hope for, but it will be something,” said Mr O’Connor.

He agreed with the elected members about accident prone roads but said he understands the TII’s position.

“I’m not defending them, but they do have limited funding and have to prioritise. We might not agree, but it is understandable,” said Mr O’Connor.