'It's an accident waiting to happen' - Tramore Ring Road scheme criticism
The matter was discussed at City Hall.
The Active Travel Scheme on the Tramore Ring Road was the subject of criticism at the latest Metropolitan meeting of Waterford City and County Council. The scheme involves the construction of a 3km route along the R675 Tramore Ring Road between Riverstown Roundabout and Newtown Roundabout.
Councillors Blaise Hannigan and Lola O'Sullivan spoke about the situations facing residents and road users along the stretch of road.
Cllr Hannigan revealed that several bus drivers have made contact about struggling to navigate the roundabouts along the route. He later told the Waterford News & Star that he has received numerous complaints from locals in the area.
Cllr Hannigan commented: "It is the biggest issue behind housing for people."
The narrowing of roads around estates and local schools has led to difficulties for road users.
At the meeting, he noted that the circumstances of the construction could prove dangerous for road users.
"It's an accident waiting to happen," he said.
Senior Engineer Michael Murphy stated: "First thing to note on Tramore Ring Road is that it is a construction site."
He said that the work of an Active Travel Scheme can lead to "narrowing of roads" which causes traffic.
Mr Murphy stated that bus drivers in Waterford City are struggling to pull in to every bus stop to pick up passengers.
"They can't get back into the traffic, cars won't let them out, so it's causing delays," he said, adding that under the scheme, traffic will have to stay behind a bus.
Councillor Lola O'Sullivan stressed that people were being left in the dark over the scheme.
"I just want to express the frustration, I know it's been mentioned many times, of so many people in relation to the Ring Road in Tramore," she said. "I just feel people aren't being updated on what's happening."
The Tramore councillor asked for the scheme to be "considered like a building site" to ease the traffic woes.
"There are particular times of the day that are extremely busy. If the builders were taking into consideration, just those periods, particularly when people are going to work in the morning, when people are going to school, it would make a significant difference."
Mr Murphy responded that all queries will be answered in due course and that there would be a website to update the public on the scheme.
