Calls for traffic calming measures at notorious Wexford junction – ‘All the signs in the world won’t make a difference there’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Driver feedback signs are to be installed at two junctions in the Enniscorthy district in an attempt to slow traffic and prevent further serious accidents. Noting that there had been accidents at Clohamon junction and Ballycarney junction in the past week, Councillor Barbara Anne Murphy said new signage needed to be installed in both areas to increase safety.

Cllr Murphy was speaking at the November meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC) where director of roads Eamonn Hore informed her that feedback signs were due to be installed at the two junctions once the council received them in approximately six weeks.

However, Cllr Pat Kehoe said it would require more than new signage to correct driver behaviour at Ballycarney junction.

“There were temporary flashing signs at Ballycarney junction last year but all the signs in the world aren’t going to make a difference there,” he said. “They need proper traffic calming measures, similar to what was installed in Ballinaboola. The volume has increased three-fold since Brexit, and it’s only going to get busier with the expansion of the Europort.

"It’s going to take an accident or a fatality to make people realise this issue is not going away and that signs aren’t going to improve it.”

Mr Hore disagreed, stating that “statistics show the feedback signs do cause motorists to slow down”.

And he advised Cllr Kehoe that funding for widescale traffic calming measures often took years to secure.

“The chances of getting a physical structure in place are minimal, it will take many years,” he said. “It’s getting to the stage now where every junction or roundabout on a national road requires a physical solution.”