Safety plans for notorious Tipperary cross roads to come before councillors next month
Plans to improve safety at the notorious Turtulla Cross outside Thurles are set to come before councillors next month.
The junction at Turtulla Cross has been the scene of numerous serious accidents over the years, including a three-car collision in recent weeks, with many councillors calling for something to be done about it.
At the June meeting of the Thurles Municipal District, independent councillor Jim Ryan again asked for an update on plans to make the road safer for motorists.
“Since our last meeting, there’s been a very serious accident at that junction involving three cars so I’m just wondering if there’s any update on progressing Turtulla Cross,” Cllr Ryan asked.
Fianna Fáil councillor Kay Cahill Skehan backed Cllr Ryan’s calls, saying that the junction is “extremely dangerous”.
Newly-appointed Cathaoirleach of the Thurles district Cllr Sean Ryan also backed the calls, saying that Turtulla Cross will be one of his priorities for his year as head of the district.
“I support the calls on Turtulla Cross, I think Part 8 is due in July, so maybe we could get an update on that at our next meeting. Hopefully work can be advanced there,” he said.
A Part 8 planning application is the process used by local authorities where it applies to itself for planning permission.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Cllr Ryan said that he will be pushing to get the project across the line as Cathaoirleach.
“I’d like to see Turtulla Cross developed, it’s a national road, it’s a very dangerous cross and something needs to be done about it.
“In Tipperary we’re lucky, we get to meet the roads authority once a year as a district, and certainly, it’ll be one of the areas that I’ll be highlighting.
“We have information on the Part 8 coming before the July meeting and I’d like to see that advanced and make that cross safer, particularly as it’s being used by people going to the Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre. It’s something I’d like to see done,” Cllr Ryan explained.
In response, district engineer Thomas Duffy said that the lodging of a Part 8 planning application is “imminent”.
“You’ve been notified that there is a Part 8 submission imminent. There will be a presentation at the July meeting so I would say that is positive progress for that project,” Mr Duffy said.