Is this the most dangerous street traffic-wise in Tullamore?
'Mayhem as cars race to get into a gap before the next car comes up' – Harvey
A STREET in the centre of Tullamore has been described as the most dangerous traffic-wise in the entire town.
"It's mayhem there with cars racing to get into a gap before another car comes up (in the opposite direction)", said Cllr Declan Harvey when describing Clontarf Road.
Speaking at last Thursday's meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Cllr Harvey said Clontarf Road "is the most dangerous street in Tullamore because of the traffic levels".
He suggested when work was completed on the cycle lane from Scally's Centra to Kilbeggan bridge the situation in Clontarf Road be investigated by council personnel.
Cllr Harvey, who is Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, also called on the council "to get the lighting sorted" on Charleville Road.
He stated he was delighted to see work will be progressing soon on Dillon St and complained about a huge pot hole in Store St. "A man turned on me over it," he revealed.
The Park Avenue resident also called for traffic counts to be conducted in Davitt St and Callary St and called on the council to trim trees in the town in a number of places in the coming weeks.
The Fianna Fail man also highlighted "two really bad dips" in Puttaghan which he noted had gotten worse in the past few weeks.
"It's a very busy road and work is urgent there," he stressed.
Responding Area Engineer, Joe Dooley confirmed work is in progress at Dillon St and revealed the council is looking at the situation in Store St. But he said Uisce Eireann was planning major works there in 2027. “We will look at works for pedestrian and vehicle safety there,” he promised.
Referring to the issue of buses continuing to park in Henry St, Mr Dooley said he understood drivers were taking their breaks there.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Shane Murray said if buses were parked illegally it should be reported to the Gardai. He said the council needed to write to the Gardai on the matter.
Director of Services, Paul McLoughlin confirmed he will be contacting Gardai. “We don’t enforce traffic laws,” he stressed.