New traffic safety project announced for congestion-vexed town in Tipperary

A new plan for traffic calming measures in Thurles was unveiled at this week’s sitting of the Thurles-Templemore Municipal District Council.

Between the N75 Liberty Square and the Anner Hotel, the council plans to carry out drainage works and provide new pedestrian crossings.

They also plan to improve footpaths and junctions, as well as narrow sections of the road to tackle illegal and informal parking arrangements.

District Cathaoirleach councillor Sean Ryan said:

“We welcome these works. They are long overdue.” Under the plan, new uncontrolled pedestrian crossings will be provided at Centra and the roundabout at the Monakeeba estate.

The mainline carriageway in front of Aldi will be narrowed to 3.23m, and the roundabout on the Mill Road will be ‘realigned’ for better drainage.

Several pavements will be reinstated or resurfaced to make them safer for pedestrians.

A council official, presenting the plan said the timeline for the works is Autumn/Summer 2024.

SLIEVENAMON ROAD

However, it was revealed that the Slievenamon Road project approved last year has been delayed two years.

Some councillors were concerned that the Liberty Square project announced this week and the Slievenamon Road would happen at the same time, “chocking the town.”

Cllr Michéal Lowry said the timeline would put them well into the Slievenamon Road project.

“It is hugely important that we don’t drop two projects and congest the town.

“The whole place could grind to a halt,” said Cllr Lowry.

Cllr Sean Ryan asked that the council start the works during the summer to prevent the two main arterial routes being

‘choked’ in the mornings as children go to school.

“Otherwise it will cause traffic chaos, and we don’t want that,” said Cllr Ryan.

An official responded that they had no intention of running the two projects together.

He said the Slievenamon road had been delayed by procurement issues and would not start until 2025.