Closure of slip road near Lismore questioned
The closure of a slip road onto the N72 between Tallow and Lismore junction at the Glencairn/Ballyduff road was raised at this week’s Dungarvan Lismore Municipal meeting.
Located just past Hornibrook’s Garage, the junction was previously highlighted by TheAvondhu as a cause for local concern, having been made ‘unsafe’ for those driving heavy goods vehicles in particular. According to Tallow-based truck driver, Dermot O’Brien, prior to the recent works there had been no issue with the junction.
Local councillor James Tobin raised the matter, asking whether sliproads are now being closed ‘without any consultation’.
“I’m not criticising the job but I’m just asking, why had it to be closed at an enormous cost? Is there a reason as to why all that had to be reconstructed?” Cllr Tobin queried.
He went on to note that the works carried out were ‘a waste of money’, stating that the junction had been in place for many years and that he believed there had never been an accident at the location.
STANDARDS
Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes stated that the junction was realigned as the old junction used to slip out at ‘a very acute angle’.
“The difficulty there was that cars wouldn’t stop as they approached the national secondary road and the correct standard is that the junction would meet the national secondary road at right angles,” Mr Hynes said.
According to Mr Hynes, the junction was realigned to reduce the risk of a severe accident happening.
“The realignment was done as a safety measure under TII’s safety funding and I think it’s a job that was necessary and it will reduce the risk of fatalities in the future,” Mr Hynes added.
A statement from Waterford City and County Council issued to The Avondhu in March noted that Waterford City and County Council in conjunction with the TII Safety Network team and Tramore House Regional Design Office, assessed the existing road layout at the junction.
“The revised layout was designed in accordance with national standards and approved by the TII and passed the required road safety audit. The existing junction joins the N72 at an acute angle of 7°. This severe angle is considered hazardous, from two perspectives: 1) As vehicles were entering from this junction onto the N72, they were inclined to slip out without stopping, a significant hazard with possible fatal consequences; and (2), the acute angle requires a vehicle turning left off the N72 to travel very slowly in order to make the turn, thereby risking rear-end shunt type collisions. This vehicle making this left turn off the N72 must reduce speed to such an extent that it may not be anticipated by other vehicles approaching from behind, leading to a rear-end shunt collision. This vehicle also risks crossing over the white centre line to make the turn,” the statement read.