‘Absolutely dire’ traffic management in New Ross as councillor calls for pedestrian crossing at busy schools

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Over a decade since he was first promised a pedestrian crossing would be installed in Irishtown, New Ross, Councillor John Dwyer has raised the issue once more. Speaking at the June meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD), Cllr Dwyer said traffic management in the area was “absolutely dire”.

“We have St Mary’s School, Good Counsel College, and other new schools which are coming on stream there,” he said. “Traffic safety is a problem, we have two major estates with children crossing the road without any pedestrian crossing, I was promised 12 years ago there would be a crossing put in there to allow the children to cross safely, it’s crucially important we address this.”

In response, roads engineer David Murphy said he was examining the possibility of installing a ‘type B’ pedestrian crossing in Irishtown which is used on roads where the speed limit is 50km/h. He said he had also spoken to the schools in the area about applying for funding under the safe routes to school scheme when it reopened.

Further queries were submitted by Cllrs Marty Murphy and Pat Barden with the former concerned about speeding at Campile Health Centre and the latter saying he was “inundated” with calls about Kellystown Road in Adamstown.

“It was used as a bypass during the improvement works on the bridge, and it’s in ribbons now, I’m wondering when will it be strengthened?” asked Cllr Barden.

"I have written to roads central requesting additional funding for works there,” replied Mr Murphy who also confirmed he would look into installing a traffic counter in Campile to assess speeding there.