N25 Waterford to Glenmore: 'It is more than just a black spot; this is a death trap'
A new speed camera on the N25 between Waterford and New Ross, which became operational on Friday, May 30.
A Carlow-Kilkenny TD has called a section of the N25 from Waterford to Glenmore a “death trap”.
Speaking in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday during a debate on topical issues, Sinn Féin TDs Natasha Newsome Drennan and David Cullinane raised concerns about the lack of funding for a paused road safety scheme on the N25.
The road has seen 80 fatalities in 40 years and is of great concern to locals in Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny.
Deputy Brennan told Minister Hildegarde Naughton, acting for the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, that the stretch of road just past the Rhu Glenn Hotel was a “deadly accident hotspot”.
“We need to see action before any more devastation. Funding needs to be prioritised for this road.
"Will the Government commit to funding the N25 Waterford to Glenmore road scheme in 2025? More than 80 people have died along this stretch of road in the past 40 years. It is more than just a black spot; this is a death trap,” said Deputy Drennan.
The deputy said that in recent years there has been a 360% increase in traffic, with around 15,000 road users a day.
There are 11 local junctions, and it is the main route for hospital traffic in Wexford.
This, she said, is beyond what is a safe capacity for that road.
The family of a woman who died in an accident on the road in February have called for safety measures.
Deputy Drennan said she had raised this with the Minister, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the council, and while they “acknowledge” her concerns, they have yet to provide a timeline for work.
“It is not acceptable that Government bodies can acknowledge the risk and danger along the N25 but show no level of urgency in installing road safety measures. We cannot sit idle on this," said Deputy Drennan.
Waterford TD David Cullinane added that all that is required to progress the existing “paused” road scheme from phase two to three is €728,000.
However, the scheme has not been funded since 2022.
The deputy said there is to be a public meeting in June organised by a nurse from Wexford and concerned locals.
He said he understands that the CEO and Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council has also written to the Minister.
“There was a fatality again recently on that stretch of the road. Local residents and local communities are concerned about this stretch of the road. It makes perfect sense from every perspective, economically as well, to link what is the Waterford city bypass and the New Ross bypass.
"From an economic perspective, it is necessary, but from a road safety perspective, it is absolutely necessary,” said Deputy Cullinane.
The scheme in question would link the N25 New Ross bypass and the N25 Waterford city bypass and is expected to consist of approximately 9.4km of high-quality road.
The preferred route was selected in quarter 2 of 2021 but has not received the necessary funding to progress to the design and environmental evaluation phase.
As the N25 is a national road, the upgrade is dependent on TII funding.
In response, Minister Naughton said that due to funding restrictions, TII was unable to fund the scheme.
However, between 2026 and 2030, €4 billion is to become available for national roads, and outstanding projects will come up for review.
Until then, she said that three “high collision sites” were identified on the N25, and some works have been carried out.
These included pavement improvements at Curraghmore in 2020 as well as the introduction of central hatching and ghost island junctions, the removal of roadside boulders at Gaulstown and a new fixed speed camera at Ballynamona, which is expected to go live shortly.
Timber posts and rail fencing have been replaced with “more forgiving” mesh fencing, and the signage at the end of the southbound climbing lane near Glenmore is currently under review by Kilkenny County Council.
However, Deputy Cullinane pointed out that the identification of these sites shows how important it is to fund the scheme.
“Three high-collision sites have been identified because, I would imagine, of the number of fatalities which have happened since 2022.
"We also have local authorities in the area telling the Minister for Transport very clearly that the road is operating beyond capacity.
“We have very concerned motorists and very concerned members of the community who are raising these issues, we have the local authority at the highest level raising public safety concerns and road safety concerns, and we have the TII identifying high-collision sites on stretches of that road, yet the funding has not come this year,” said Deputy Cullinane.
Deputy Drennan said the works completed is not enough.
“This is an urgent road project. Kilkenny County Council has more than done its job; now, we need funding for it.
"Transport Infrastructure Ireland has committed to carry out a review of the road layout at particular junctions, which I have spoken about, including at the Rhu Glenn, but how is this acceptable? This is urgent,” said Deputy Drennan.
In response, Minister Naughton said that €6.6 million has been provided to Kilkenny County Council for national roads in 2025, and a number of new road projects, which are included in the current NDP, have already been delivered.
Those include the N22 Ballyvourney-to-Macroom project, the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, the N5 from Westport to Turlough and the Moycullen and Listowel bypasses.
Additionally, a review of the National Development Plan is to be undertaken to decide what scheme the TII should progress.
“The programme for Government commits to investing in all road projects in the current NDP.
"The programme for Government commits to increased funding for new roads as part of the NDP review and to the maintenance of existing roads. I will raise the matter with the Minister,” said Minister Naughton.
