Motorists in Waterford 'live in fear' of driving on the N25

There are people in Waterford who “live in fear” of the N25 road, according to Councillor John O’Leary.

The councillor was raising the exclusion of the proposed road upgrade from the National Development Plan, at a sitting of Comeragh District Council this week.

He said it was “frightening” that the road was not on the plan.

“There are people who live in fear who use that road. 

“It is on us as public representatives to see if that can be changed and how can we set about doing that because if it is not in the National Development Plan, then we will always be chasing our tail,” said Cllr O’Leary.

Cllr O’Leary said it is a very busy road and needs to be separated into two carriageways.

He said input is needed from Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the project to make progress.

“It has to change and it needs to change,” said Cllr O’Leary.

Cllr Catherine Burke supported her district colleague, saying that getting the "not fit for purpose" N25 on to the National Development Plan has to be a priority.

“Why we are not a priority like any other national road is just shocking to me," said Cllr Burke.

Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes said everyone agrees that from a “safety point of view” the work needs to be done.

But, he said the TII has been very clear that if it is not on the National Development Plan, it cannot be progressed by TII or the council.

“They did say it was a political decision for the upgrade of the N25 to be put on the National Development Plan. So, I’m putting the ball back on yourselves,” said Mr Hynes.

SPEED REVIEW 

Also discussed at the meeting was the speed limit review set to take place across the country.

Cllr Liam Brazil asked when the review would take place in Waterford.

Mr Hynes said it is hoped the legislation will be passed by early January 2025. 

If so, signs in the county can be changed by the middle of the month.

He said the council will start with local roads, which currently have a limit of 80km/hour.

This will be reduced to a mandatory 60km/hour.  Urban roads will be reduced from 50km to 30 km/hour.

“Now I put a caveat on that, obviously some larger roads that wouldn’t be appropriate to be 30, and it is a reserved function, your responsibility because ourselves and the gardaí we can bring those roads back up to 50 where we see that to be the appropriate speed limit,” said Mr Hynes.

Mr Hynes said the Waterford City ring road and the main road in Dungarvan would be examples of roads where 30km/hour would not be an appropriate speed limit.

That assessment will be done in conjunction with guidance from the Department of Transport and will be approved at a plenary meeting.