Roscrea bypass junction to receive safety improvement
The Tullaskeagh crossroads on Roscrea’s bypass has a history of serious traffic collisions
A dangerous junction in Roscrea is set to receive a major transformation aimed at improving safety at the busy Tullaskeagh crossroads on Roscrea’s bypass - but an extension of the footpath along the bypass should have been included in the works a local councillor says.
The junction on Roscrea's bypass at Tullaskeagh, where the bypass converges with the Knock Road and New Road towards the town centre, has been the site of fatal accidents in the past.
The junction, which has been raised several times with the national infrastructure authority on safety grounds, is today carrying an even greater burden of traffic as it serves several new large residential developments on the Knock Road and also serves as the main route for people travelling on foot and by vehicle for work and school from large housing estates.
Cllr Michael Smith welcomed the advancement of the installation of traffic calming measures and an improvement in safety for pedestrians and motorists and highlighted the history of fatal road traffic accidents at the junction.
Cllr. Shane Lee also welcomed news that safety measures will be installed at the Tullaskeagh junction, but added was “extremely annoyed” following the rejection of a request to include the extension of a footpath in the proposed plans.
Cllr Lee said he is “hugely disappointed” that the plan does not include an extension of the footpath from the Benamore roundabout, a busy walking route, which would fall outside the agreed dimensions of the project.
The footpath extension would not be eligible for the same funding stream as the Tullaskeagh junction works, Cllr Lee was told at the monthly meeting of the Municipal Council in Thurles.
“I have talked about this numerous times and it hasn't even been considered. There isn't even a proposal in place to just look at this,” said Cllr Lee at the meeting.
“We can’t let this scheme go by without even considering it. I am asking what is the plan from a road safety perspective, will it be safe for pedestrians?,” he asked.
Senior District Engineer, Thomas Duffy, said the extension falls outside the "technical and funding requirements” of the project, adding: “We could potentially look at it under the Active Travel scheme in the future, but right now it is not possible.”