Trucks ban proposed for Carrick-on-Suir bridge and two streets during regeneration works

The public’s views are being sought on a proposal to ban four classes of heavy goods vehicles from travelling over Carrick-on-Suir’s Dillon Bridge and on its Main Street and New Street while regeneration works are taking place in the town centre.

Details of Tipperary County Council’s plan to ban four classes of heavy goods vehicles on these Carrick town centre thoroughfares were outlined to councillors at Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s monthly meeting in Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall last Thursday.

The four classes of vehicles the Council is proposing to ban from travelling over Dillon Bridge, Main Street and New Street are C, C1, C1E and CE.

District Administrator Marie O’Gorman explained that a “robust” traffic management plan will be needed to manage upcoming phases of the €17.8m Carrick Regeneration Scheme safely.

Construction work is currently underway on the scheme’s first phase that comprises upgrades of Sean Healy Park, part of Castle Street, Strand Walk and Ormond Castle Park.

Revamps of the streetscapes of Main Street, Chapel Street, William Street and the North Quay are among the projects planned in phases two to five of the ambitious regeneration plan that is called: “A Journey from the Suir Blueway to Ormond Castle”.

“Part of that overall plan will require restrictions with regard to movements of heavy goods vehicles through he town,” Ms O’Gorman explained at the meeting.

“For that purpose it’s intended to invoke powers under Section 38 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act to prohibit certain classes of vehicles from using Dillon Bridge, New Street and Main Street during the course of the works.”

Under the Section 38 process, she said the Council is required to consult with An Garda Síochána, fire and ambulance services and bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The Council has prepared a draft Traffic Calming Scheme and has commenced the public consultation process in relation to the proposal.

A notice with information on how the public can lodge submissions or observations to the Council was published in the Irish Independent on Monday, April 22.

It informs the public that drawings and details about the proposed heavy goods vehicles ban went on public display that day and will remain on display up to Tuesday, May 21 inclusive.

The drawings and information about the scheme are available for inspection at Carrick Municipal District offices at New Street, Carrick by appointment during office hours and on Tipperary County Council’s website: www.tipperarycoco.ie

The public have until 4.30pm on May 21 to send written submissions about the Carrick Traffic Calming proposal to the Council’s Director of Roads Services Liam Brett at Tipperary County Council’s Civic Offices in Nenagh.

Ms O’Gorman said a workshop about the plan will be organised for Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District councillors when the public consultation process concludes.