New one-way traffic system in big Tipperary town lauded at MDC meeting

The recently implemented one-way traffic system in Nenagh was lauded as a “big success” by all in attendance at last week’s meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District.

Nenagh District Engineer Barry Murphy commented at the meeting, highlighting that traffic in the town has been moving “an awful lot better” with the new system working very well since it was launched in the town on April 11.

Local Councillors present at the meeting were full of praise for the one-way system in operation, with Cllr Seamus Morris the first to congratulate everyone involved in the project’s success.

“Well done to everybody. I think it’s working and the flow of traffic seems to be very good.

Councillors Ger Darcy and Michael O’Meara also expressed their approval, with Cllr Darcy highlighting that most people have adapted to the system, while Cllr O’Meara added that it is “working extremely well.”

While the positivity over the system was touted by all at the District Meeting, Councillors brought some issues to the attention of the District Engineers, with Cllr Hughie McGrath highlighting confusion on one street in the town.

Concerning the first few days of the new system, Cllr McGrath said he was “delighted” that all the junctions were manned in the first few days of the system becoming operational and acknowledged that there was a “learning curve” for motorists in the town but he did raise an issue with the junction at Sarsfield Street which is still causing some confusion.

He said: “There is still some confusion on Sarsfields Street as people still don’t realise you can turn left or right.”
Cllr Joe Hannigan also raised some concerns over the new pedestrian crossings around the town which have been in use since the new system was introduced, and these thoughts were echoed by several Council members who have asked District Engineer Barry Murphy to perhaps look at the proximity of the crossings to the turns in the town as people are not taking enough precautions when crossing the road.

Cllr Hannigan suggested that an educational programme is needed for the public and in response to the issue of the crossings, District Engineer Murphy said that people had “forgotten” how to cross the road and highlighted that in a lot of cases, people are loitering at crossings which is confusing motorists.

District Director of Services Liam Brett also lauded the success of the project thus far. and he believes he has seen a big improvement in traffic flow, which has lent itself to motorists going slower through the town.

Brett spoke about the project and said, “Any change comes with an element of anxiety and fear.

“It is going well, traffic is going slower and we would welcome any feedback from the public going forward.”