Cleaboy junction ‘a disaster waiting to happen’
The junction at the Cleaboy Road / Northern Extension of the Industrial Estate “is a disaster waiting to happen,” according to local Sinn Féin councillor Joe Kelly.
“A lot of accidents have occurred at this junction over the years and the risks are getting bigger with the increasing volume of traffic using the road,” he says.
This junction is very difficult for motorists to negotiate with cars travelling towards the estate trying to turn right into the northern extension, across a steady stream of oncoming traffic heading towards the city.
Added to this is the difficulty of vehicles using the slip road from Lismore Park trying to cross over the Cleaboy Road into the northern extension, “with many very frustrated drivers having to take a chance to cross the junction when even the smallest gap appears in the traffic.”
Mr Kelly believes “it’s only a matter of time before serious injury or a death occurs at this junction” and he has called on Waterford City Council to take immediate action to alleviate the daily chaos at this location.”
He has been in touch with the senior engineer for roads, who gave an assurance that the Council would look at the matter urgently but that finance is always a problem. On this point, Cllr Kelly was informed that an application was before the Department for funding for an upgrade of a section of the Cleaboy Road adjoining the Industrial Estate and that a decision is expected next February.
“I understand the financial realities city council face and I very much hope that the funding application is approved for this vital work in February,” the Hillview resident says.
“For everyone’s sake the sooner this work is completed the better, before a major incident occurs at this junction, resulting in loss of life or serious injury to someone.”
N25 lighting
Meanwhile, Labour Party Deputy Brian O’Shea has been informed by Fred Barry, chief executive of the National Roads Authority, that as construction works at the junction of the N25 and the R680 (Portlaw Road) are now completed, public lighting will revert to hours of darkness.
Deputy O’Shea had raised the fact that the 12 lights at this location had been on constantly since Christmas ‘07.
Mr Barry advised him that the lights have been on full-time for health & safety reasons due to construction works in the area. Should the public lighting cable be hit at any time during construction it is easier for the ESB to locate and repair the cable more speedily.