We're on the One Road - Changes ahead for Mullinavat roads

Plans for a shared pedestrian and cyclist facility in Mullinavat were discussed at a local meeting.

At the recent meeting of Piltown Municipal District meeting, Area Engineer John Tennyson spoke about the proposed development of the thoroughfares of the area, particularly the Mill Road.

He explained: "This scheme is a proposed shared pedestrian and cyclist facility connecting the R448 at Main Street Mullinavat to the Mullinavat GAA field via the Mill Road."

According to Mr Tennyson, the site map consists of the public footpath and carriageway at the existing junction at the R448 regional road and the L7423 Mill Road and the short section of the Mill Road. The site is adjacent to the junctions west of the GAA pitch and crosses over the the Blackwater, parallel to the Blackwater bridge.

Mr Tennyson said: "A feasibility report was carried out by consultants in 2023 to determine the feasibility of a pedestrian and cyclist toucan crossing from Mullinavat GAA to the R448. This is now the option tat is currently being explored and now being brought forward by Part 8 application.

Schematics

Several changes were proposed from the junction between Mill Road and the R448, including reducing junction lines to increase pedestrian areas and a reduction in road speeds. Mr Tennyson stated: "Toucan crossings will be provided on all arms of the junction to provide a safe access route for pedestrians and cyclists. In order to facilitate the pedestrians and cyclists, these facilities provide a three metre wide shared path. 

"It is proposed to narrow the carriageway on the Mill Road."

Traffic lights were proposed to accommodate the narrowing of the road: "Traffic signals will be introduced on the junction of the Mill Road. Traffic signals will operate on a three stage basis; stage one traffic signals on the R448 will remain green, allowing traffic to flow freely, including entering into the Mill Road.

Mr Tennyson went on: "The traffic signals at the proposed toucan crossings and on the Mill Road eastbound will remain red. As vehicles approach to junction along the Mill Road heading east, an induction will trigger the traffic signals on the Mill Road and R448.

"Both directions on the R448 will then both have red traffic signal. The green traffic signal on the Mill Road will allow traffic to flow north and south of the Mill Road. 

"Stage three will be triggered by pedestrian or cyclist demand buttons at each toucan crossing, they will change all the vehicle traffic signals to red and allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the middle road and the R448 safely.

Reaction

Reactions from the Councillors were a mixture of supportive and concerned. Councillor Jenny Catt Slattery said: "I think it's great that something is happening on this after years of work on it but to be honest with you, I know myself looking at these [plans] there's more lights on it than there is on O'Connell St in Dublin. A one-way street with traffic lights everywhere. That's the busiest road coming out of anywhere in Mullinavat."

She added: "We'll be putting this out there to the people and it will be up to them to make a decision."

Cathaoirleach Dunphy said that there would be a public consultation opening soon for locals to have their say on the proposed option.