Italian crew needed to fix traffic lights out of action on Offaly bridge

Traffic lights at the canal bridge in Rahan 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.

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