Council is keen to cut out the noise on main roads

THE noise levels generated on Co Wexford’s main roads came up for discussion before Wexford County Council last week as Senior Executive Scientist Brendan Cooney presented the Noise Action Plan 2019-2023.

While some members pointed out that plenty of droning could be regularly be heard around the table in the council chamber, Mr Cooney outlined that the Noise Action Plan was an EU initiative to target noise levels. He pointed out that, on the continent, the plant tended to focus more on airports and railway lines. On a local level in Wexford, however, it only applied to roads. The roads included were the N11, the N25, the N30, the N80, the R730, the R733, the R741 and the R769. Noise levels are being monitored at these locations.

Cllr Ger Carthy questioned what the criteria was for being measured.

‘I would imagine with the volume of HGVs going to the port that Rosslare, Tagoat and Kilrane would fall into the category for these noise levels, and yet that road isn’t listed as one of the main ones?’

Cllr Lisa McDonald agreed with her colleagues concerns, pointing out that residents at Laurel Grove in Tagoat only had a fence separating them from the main road.

Mr Cooney informed the councillors that the Rosslare stretch would be included under the N25 in the scheme.

Cllr Jim Moore expressed concerns that in some cases, calming measures imposed on the roads were generating more noise and had proved a ‘double-edged sword’.

Cllr Pip Breen agreed that the likes of rumble strips created excessive noise and asked about sections of tarmac now being used on new roads which was a lot quieter.

Mr Cooney stated that quieter road surfaces are something that is being looked at under the plans. Cllr Willie Kavanagh stated that since the road in Oylegate was resurfaced, the noise levels have dropped dramatically and said that this could be the way forward.

Finally Cllr John Fleming sought assurances that Clonroche was being looked at being ‘one of the few villages left on a national route’ and owing to its proximity to the bypass on both sides. Mr Cooney assured him that they are monitoring noise levels in the area.

Following the discussions, the councillors unanimously adopted the Noise Action Plan.