Italian crew needed to fix traffic lights on Offaly bridge

Traffic lights at the Rahan Bridge in Tullamore have been out of action for a long number of months.

Responding to a question from Cathaoirleach, Councillor Declan Harvey at the June meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Senior Executive Engineer, Joe Dooley said it is quite a complex issue. ''An Italian controller installed the lights and unfortunately he has passed away so we had to do our own testing on it. It looks like road experts will have to come from Italy to repair the fault,'' he said.

Councillor Shane Murray asked if temporary lights could be installed. However, Mr Dooley said that they wouldn't hook up with the sensors which indicate when a car is approaching and keep traffic moving. He said if temporary lights are put up then people will be left sitting at red lights which causes frustration.

Director of Services Paul McLoughlin said a solution will be found in the next couple of weeks. ''We are not going to let it run and run,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the traffic lights on O'Moore Street in Tullamore have also been out of action for some time. Councillor Declan Harvey confirmed today Monday June 30, that they will be fixed Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

READ NEXT: Frightening incident reported near canal in Edenderry