Large articulated lorry stuck in Liberty Square renews calls for Thurles bypass

A large articulated lorry that became stuck while navigating Liberty Square in Thurles this week, causing significant traffic to build up in the town centre, has once again highlighted calls for a bypass to be delivered for the town.

The truck, pictured attempting to make its way through the busy town centre on Tuesday, November 10, encountered difficulties negotiating the turn due to its unusual length, with three trailers attached behind the cab. The incident caused significant traffic disruption, while a car also sustained considerable damage during the manoeuvre.

Local councillor Jim Ryan said the incident demonstrated why vehicles of this size should not have to pass through the heart of Thurles, renewing his call for progress on the long-awaited Thurles Bypass.

Cllr Ryan explained that the lorry had entered Thurles from Slievenamon road before turning left by Supermac's and attempting to continue down towards Parnell street.

Cllr Ryan said the lorry was not destined for Thurles itself, but was simply passing through the town to reach its final destination elsewhere.

He believes this is precisely the issue that a bypass would help to address, pointing out that many of the heavy goods vehicles travelling through Thurles are not actually stopping in the town.

The incident came just ahead of a meeting between Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Tipperary County Council, which Cllr Ryan attended alongside a number of fellow councillors.

The meeting takes place annually and provides an opportunity for the council's elected representatives and officials to raise issues relating to TII projects across the county.

Cllr Ryan, who attended in his capacity as chairperson of the council's Roads Strategic Policy Committee, said he specifically brought the lorry incident and the need for a bypass to the attention of TII officials during the meeting.

However, he acknowledged that officials had indicated the project would be a lengthy process, requiring substantial funding from the Government.

Cllr Ryan also said that Tipperary County Council had completed everything requested of it to date, with a further report due to be submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland before the end of the year.

He believes the next step rests with Tipperary's elected representatives at national level, calling on local TDs to ensure that the necessary Government funding is secured to move the project forward.

"At the end of the day it's down to our TD's here in Tipperary to ensure funding is secured from the Government to move the Thurles Bypass project on," he stated.

The councillor added that pressure would need to be maintained on local TDs to ensure the project progresses, pledging to continue raising the issue himself.