Summer traffic plan and road closures at Curracloe
THE link road between The Raven at Culleton’s Gap and Curracloe will be closed to traffic for the summer to ease congestion and provide a safe area for pedestrians and cyclists, in a move which been welcomed by members of Wexford Borough District Council.
Meanwhile, the road between Curracloe and Ballineskar will be open to one-way traffic only, in the direction from the White Gap/Winning Post car park to Ballineskar.
The council plan was being considered before the Covid-19 crisis but will serve to support social distancing measures that will be implemented at the beach this summer, according to Senior Environment Engineer Gerry Forde.
He told councillors that alleviating traffic congestion on busy days during the summer and protecting the unique dune system between the beaches from car parking, camping and fires, are among the aims of the new plan.
‘It will also create a safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists in the general area,’ he said. There will be local access to homes situated on the road.
Two-way traffic will be allowed on the approach roads to White Gap/Winning Post and the car park at Culleton’s Gap (The Raven), with additional double yellow lines on the White Gap entrance road, to prevent illegal parking.
The link road from White Gap to Culleton’s Gap and vice versa, will be closed to traffic for the summer months with local access and pedestrian and cyclist access only.
The closures will take the form of removable barriers. Access will be maintained to the caravan park and overflow car park and also for emergency vehicles.
Cllr. John Hegarty described it as ‘a very positive step’ in an area which is a jewel attraction, voted as Ireland’s best beach.
‘This is the start of making it a more user-friendly place, helping to create areas for pedestrians and cyclists and encourage more families to use it,’ he said.
‘I don’t think we should be concerned about facilitating those who who want to drive their cars almost onto the beach. My feedback from the local area is that it will be well-received.’
‘Hopefully, everyone will support it and I hope the public will get behind it’, said Cllr. David Hynes.
‘I would very much support it, in terms of encouraging pedestrians and cyclists,’ said Cllr. Leonard Kelly. Cllr. Garry Laffan said he also fully supported it.
Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. George Lawlor asked if the new traffic management plan could be changed back, if it was found not to work after three or four weeks. Mr. Forde replied that it would be reviewed.