*Killaloe Bridge || Inset: Cllr Tonu O’Brien
A CALL has been made for the traffic lights at Killaloe’s old bridge to be removed, with Clare County Council confirming the junction will be reviewed as part of a wider regeneration project.
The issue was raised by Killaloe Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) at the September meeting of the MD.
Cllr O’Brien had called for the traffic lights at the old bridge to be removed and the junction controlled through road markings and a priority system.
In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Declan Flanagan said the existing traffic light system remained necessary in the interests of pedestrian safety.
He said traffic volumes had reduced significantly since the opening of the Killaloe Bypass but there was insufficient road width to safely accommodate two-way traffic while also providing a protected pedestrian route to and from the car park between The Waters and Canal Bank.
Mr Flanagan also said pedestrian numbers had increased substantially since the pedestrianisation of the old Killaloe-Ballina Bridge.
He said it was particularly encouraging to see schoolchildren using the bridge as a safe route to school, where priority was given to pedestrians.
However, Clare County Council will review the operation and design of the junction as part of the €1 million joint Killaloe-Ballina RRDF Category 2 project.
The project is intended to advance design and development work to a stage where proposals can be considered for a future RRDF Category 1 funding application.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr O’Brien said he did not believe the traffic lights were necessary and argued that the junction could be managed with stop or yield signs and road markings.
He said the lights could cause delays for motorists, particularly when there was little traffic approaching from the other side of the bridge.
Cllr O’Brien said he had concerns about motorists becoming frustrated by the lights and potentially breaking red lights rather than waiting.
He also said the junction needed to be considered alongside wider traffic and pedestrian issues in Killaloe.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), who seconded the motion, said the junction warranted an assessment and that a properly managed pedestrian crossing could help address the issues.
Killaloe MD Senior Executive Officer and Meetings Administrator Eoin Troy said, in his view, the council should take a consistent approach and consider the various traffic issues in the area as part of an overall package rather than taking individual actions immediately.
Cllr O’Brien said the traffic light junction was different to other traffic issues because motorists could be waiting for extended periods despite limited traffic, and that motorists breaking red lights presented a hazard.
He welcomed the possibility of an overall package of measures for Killaloe.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
