Old land issues prevent safety efforts at West Waterford junction
Councillors want improved sight lines at Lyon's Cross. Stock Image.
The council are unable to improve the sightlines on the right-hand side of Lyon’s Cross due to land ownership issues.
That is according to Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes at the March sitting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.
Responding to queries from Councillors Niamh O’Donovan and Donnchadh Mulcahy, Mr Hynes said they addressed the issue on the left-hand side of the junction several years ago.
"We were unable to improve the sight lines on the right, looking back toward Tallow, because we weren’t able to get a land agreement to set back the boundary wall. That hasn’t changed since.
"While I accept we are doing some surfacing works, we are not in a position to improve the sight lines on the right of the junction because we are unable to get the land that is required,” said Mr Hynes.
But the engineer did say they would install more road markings.
Cllr O’Donovan also raised the idea of looking at the areas at risk during severe weather events.
She said that now that hedge-cutting season is over, it would be a good time to do an assessment.
“We maybe sit down and look at the areas that do still need to be cut back, that are at risk areas for road blockages and making a difficult situation more difficult at times of severe weather,” said Cllr O’Donovan.
Cllr Mulcahy said he agreed with his district colleague.
“It is the right time to talk about areas that are more dangerous on a bend that we need to cut hedges all year round. I think it is a topic that should be talked about now we are out of hedge-cutting season," said Cllr Mulcahy.
Mr Hynes responded that he acknowledged the work done by landowners to meet their responsibilities, and said the council will be following up with those who didn’t comply with the notices.
