Mallow traffic crux still ‘being worked out’

BUT FEARS REMAIN ‘PINCH POINT’ PUTS PEOPLE OFF COMING TO TOWN

A SENIOR county council official has insisted the authority is making significant efforts to help alleviate traffic congestion at a key ‘pinch point’ in Mallow town.

The ‘on-off ’ controversy surrounding the traffic lights at the Clock House Junction was raised at a council meeting after Cllr Melissa Mullane (SF) called for a report on measures the authority was taking to address the issue.

“It is becoming a massively contentious issue, people won’t come into the town because of traffic congestion and the people of Mallow are asking us to resolve this issue,” said Cllr Mullane.

“What would be the implication of turning the lights off as happened before? Many believe this would be the solution to the problem,” she added.

A point also made by Cllr Timmy Collins (Ind) who said anecdotal evidence would suggest the traffic flow improved when the lights were turned off.

“The real answer to this is a northern relief road,” he said.

Senior council engineer Jim Moloney said the authority was continuing to monitor the situation in the context of achieving “the safe and efficient throughput of traffic, including pedestrians.”

He said the timings of the lights at the Clock House and Mallow Bridge had been review and adjusted and road markings revised.

“The council does acknowledge there are occasions when some motorists encounter significant delays. While we will continue to take steps to improve traffic, it should be noted that all delays cannot be eliminated,” he warned.

Mr Moloney said the primary cause for congestion was increased traffic volumes, pointing out the number of vehicles had increased by up to 25% at peak times since 2010.

“There is no evidence to demonstrate that signalisation of Clock House junction is the sole or rather a significant cause of congestion in the town or the removal of these lights would resolve traffic problems,” said Mr Moloney.

He said that in addition to regularising traffic the lights at the Clock House improve safety for pedestrians.

However, Mr Moloney did say the council had engaged with traffic management professionals and other local authorities to review the situation.

“It is recognised the situation in Mallow, with high traffic volumes through three relatively close junctions is complex. This is compounded by the fact that interruptions to traffic such as poor parking and the presence of slow moving HGV’s can very quickly result in tailbacks,” said Mr Moloney.

He said the expert advisers had taken on board complaints and suggestions from the public and gardai, coming up with four recommendations to improve traffic flow and safety at the critical junction.

These include the installation of new controllers to allow for the synchronisation of lights at the three key junctions, the possible reconfiguration of lights at the Clock House junction and the construction of a boardwalk on Mallow Bridge enabling the creation of an extra traffic lane the bridge.

Mr Moloney said the overriding issue affecting traffic congestion in Mallow was the high volume of HGV traffic passing through the area on what is a national road route.

“The provision of a relief road to remove the N72 from the town is therefore seen as an essential component of easing traffic problems,” he said.

County Mayor, Cllr John Paul O’Shea said he hoped Mr Moloney has “put to bed” a lot of speculation surrounding the issue.

“People are exaggerating the issue and being populist in relation to turning off the lights. If this happens, there will be a pedestrian fatality,” he said.

“It is important that people now support the council in what it is trying to do and the authority proceeds with the measures outlined by Mr Moloney,” he added.