Locals raise concerns over new junction
BOTTLENECKS AND ACCIDENTS A WORRY FOR MOTORISTS
RESIDENTS living near the New Ross bypass at the N30 have raised concerns about safety for motorists and traffic bottlenecks following three accidents close to a new junction slip-road at Corcoran’s Cross.
The slip-road is located around 100 metres on the New Ross side of the roundabout. It connects with a newly resurfaced Rathgarogue road which is busy with agricultural and all kinds of traffic.
Local farmer Barry Murphy said there has been three reported accidents since it was opened, including one serious accident which could have led to a fatality.
The junction at Whitemoor is about to get much busier when the bypass opens later this month or in early February when drivers travelling from Ballywilliam, Rathnure, Killanne, Kiltealy will all be turning in Ballywillliam proceeding through Rathgarogue to access the new road at the N30 slip road.
Mr Murphy said: ‘ That road is going to be quite critical. Traffic coming from Ballywilliam, Rathnure, Killanne, Kiltealy and the Borris direction will no longer access the N25 through Ballyanne and the Ferry Bridge as this is the quickest route.’
He said traffic is predicted to increase three-fold once the Waterford section of the bypass opens at Corcoran’s Cross.
‘It’s predicted that an awful lot of people will come onto that road so it’s important that it’s safe and works well and it’s not working well and it’s not safe at the moment. There are three known accidents because of the lack of a filter lane out on the main road to get people on top our small road. I can’t work out why it’s the way it is.’
Cllr Murphy along with other local residents believe the pre-existing road around 100 metres further down the road towards New Ross was ideal and a much safer option.
While visiting the slip road, several trucks were seen accessing the road by crossing the median line. A stop sign greets motorists as they exit the N30 and connect with the Rathgarogue road, giving right of way to four families on a 300m cul-de-sac.
Whitemoor residents are baffled as to the reasons for this, saying drivers are ignoring the stop sign. Another scenario has arisen whereby drivers continue along the road missing the link road completely, ending up at the end of a cul-de-sac. The problem is particularly bad at night when the Enniscorthy/New
Ross road sign is not visible.
‘People travelling to a funeral gathering at the Horse & Hound from Rathgarogue went down the cul-de-sac and had to come back. A cattle lorry went down as well. When a truck is going around it can’t take the bend without going over the white line. It’s all angled up wrong. It’s so obviously wrong people are expecting it’s going to be sorted but I think we are going to be stuck with the problem.’
A lack of consultation from BAM was another factor in residents’ frustration with the mess.
‘ The road used to go out opposite a stone building. Why didn’t just leave it as it was.’
Farmer Pat Furlong has attended the scene of accidents at the junction.
‘I think it’s ridiculous to be stopping people as they come down off the road. There is no adequate signposting. There is no filter road as you come off the road. There is a crest of hill.’
Garage owner Niall Furlong said a serious accident was narrowly avoided in March at the junction when a woman swerved at the last minute having exited the roundabout.
‘ There was another car coming up and a lorry in front of her blocking her vision. People on the road have no patience anymore. You also have the fact people’s full lights are now shining on the house at the end of the slip-road and onto car windscreens on the N30.’
Mr Furlong said there was 500 yards visibility on either side at the former junction.
‘Everyone around here thinks this is nothing short of a disaster. You can have drivers travelling at 120 km/h up the road onto a slip-road that is going to be a highway soon with all the traffic coming from Rathgarogue, the Borris direction, Bunclody and Poulpeasty.’
Mr Murphy said there are now concerns about where Local Link drivers will be able to park to drop off residents.
‘His stop would have been Corcoran’s Cross but he has no place now.’
Niall Furlong agreed, saying: ‘It’s an accident waiting to happen. There is no hard shoulder and then you don’t have the width of a car to full into on the dual carriageway.
He questioned why more space wasn’t made for vehicles at Lacken also and said there is a lack of consideration for pedestrians.
New Ross Municipal Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Fleming said: ‘I my opinion the stop sign should be on the cul de sac. As it stands it’s even difficult to look back right down the cul-de-sac whereas approaching up from the cul-the-sac there are clear views. I can’t see the need for this new section anyway and why Transport Infrastructure Ireland closed the old road.
‘In the coming weeks the new roads and new bridge will be open this will have a huge effect on traffic flows in this area with drivers coming from the likes of Ballywilliam, Rathnure, Killanne, Kiltealy all turning in Ballywillliam proceeding through Rathgarogue to access the new road.
‘Rathgarogue National School is a busy place in the mornings and afternoons, but now there is going to be a huge increase in traffic passing the school. It’s a pity that Transport Infrastructure Ireland have not a contingency fund in place for situations like this so we could get school warning lights etc to slow down traffic passing the school.’