Councillors in the Listowel Municipal District have again unanimously approved installing traffic lights at an accident blackspot in Abbeydorney.
The councillors were presented this morning with a report on proposed works to the main crossroads in Abbeydorney village, which has been the scene of several road traffic collisions over the years.
The report included submissions and observations from the public on the project, many of which were critical of the move to traffic lights at the junction.
Now that the project has been approved by councillors, the council hopes to complete the works by the end of the year.
The council is proposing to install a signalised junction with controlled pedestrian crossings, widen the footpath, revise the line markings and adjust the angle of the street corners.
It’s in order to address what the council calls the ongoing collision pattern that’s occurring there, by improving definition and visibility, improve sight distance, reduce speed, and improve pedestrian facilities.
The plans had gone out to public consultation late last year and were approved by councillors in March, but an omission of certain submissions meant that they had to be re-advertised.
Eight out of the 15 submissions objected to the installation of traffic lights at the junction, partly down to concerns over backlog, and potential impacts on parking and local businesses.
The council noted that five parking spaces will be removed in the vicinity of the junction, to facilitate the new road layout.
The council also wrote that these will be smart traffic lights, which will detect traffic and queue lengths, prioritising flows accordingly.
All six councillors in the Listowel MD voted in favour of the works.
In response to a question from Fine Gael councillor Aoife Kennelly later on in the meeting, the council said the tender process for these works will commence as soon as possible.
The council said it’s intended that the works will be completed by the end of the year.
