‘Accident waiting to happen’ on busy Waterford road as works continue

Works ongoing on a busy County Waterford road are “an accident waiting to happen”, a council meeting has heard.

The Tramore Ring Road is being redeveloped along a 3km route from the Riverstown Roundabout to the Newtown Roundabout as part of an Active Travel scheme.

This involves the construction of a dedicated two-way cycle track separated from vehicle traffic by a raised kerb or grass verge.

Junction tightening measures are also being implemented along the route, as well as upgrades to five different roundabouts.

The scheme came under criticism at the November Metropolitan District meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

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Independent councillor Blaise Hannigan said that the works have been the biggest issue among residents and motorists alike over the past few months.

Cllr Hannigan highlighted the narrowing of the road and the installation of a footpath which residents “totally opposed”.

He continued: “The traffic is backing up full time. On the outside of the road, there’s a drop-off point for a school there.

“People are dropping off kids there in the morning and backing up traffic once more - it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Cllr Hannigan pleaded with Senior Engineer Michael Murphy not to make any changes to the scheme without receiving approval from local councillors.

In response, Mr Murphy said: “Just on the Tramore Ring Road, the first thing to note is that it is a construction site [and they’re] in the middle of the job.

“The second [thing] to note is that it is an Active Travel scheme, so the basis of Active Travel is to prioritise vulnerable road users and that involves narrowing roads, slowing down traffic and that’s what we’re doing.

“I know, Cllr Hannigan, you weren’t here at the time but the scheme was unanimously approved across the chamber.”

Fine Gael councillor Lola O’Sullivan was also critical of the works and raised the concerns of local residents.

Cllr O’Sullivan said: “I just want to express the frustration, and I know it’s been mentioned several times, that so many people feel in relation to the Ring Road in Tramore.

“I just feel people aren’t being updated on what’s happening.”

She asked that the builders consider avoiding undertaking work during rush hour traffic.

“There are particular times of the day that are extremely busy, when the schools are going. If the builders could take into consideration just those areas in particular when people are going to work in the morning, when people are going to school, it would make a big difference.”

Cllr O’Sullivan asked whether anything could be done to improve the situation for those living in the area.

“It would stop maybe certain emails coming in. We want to bring people with us, not turn them against us.

“So if we want to make it better, what can we do to make it better? Maybe having a discussion with the builders in relation to times and that would be significant.”

In response, Mr Murphy said that the Active Travel department’s communications officer has been off for a number of weeks.

He promised that the department will address the queries they have gotten in relation to the works when the officer returns.

Mr Murphy added that the council is also working on an Active Travel website so it can update the public directly on such schemes.

He continued: “Just about the busy times in the morning and evening, the Ring Road in Tramore, if any of you are familiar with it, is busy all day.

“I know it’s particularly busy in the morning and evening but it’s not within our remit to force the contractor to stop work at those times.

“We can ask them to do it but it would be tail or tops because it’s not in the contract. The contract working hours are 7 to 7.”

“If we change that, there will be a financial cost to go with it. If we interfere with the working day, the project will go longer so I’m not sure it’s a benefit,” Mr Murphy concluded.

Construction of the Tramore Ring Road Active Travel Scheme began in July of this year and is being undertaken by Glas Civil Engineering Ltd.

The works are expected to last around 18 months, with a traffic management system in place for their duration.