Public to have say on long-awaited Rathdrum traffic study

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

District councillors in Arklow have been told that the long-awaited traffic study in Rathdrum will go out for public consultation before the end of the year.

The study was first launched in 2022 and an initial review in 2023 identified the key area of concern is the Main Street between the Square at Centra and the junction at the car park beside Jacob’s Well.

The consultant expressed concern in that addressing the issue on the Main Street, it could push the problems to other areas, in particular Lower Street.

The consultant then recommended that further studies of the Lower Street junction with the R-752 were carried out to ensure that the best solution to alleviate the conditions on the Main Street could be identified without compromising other areas in the town.

Additional work has been ongoing to ensure any solutions proposed take an holistic approach to the traffic in the town as a whole, and will not compromise the safety of road users or residents by solving the problem in one area and creating a new problem elsewhere.

In December 2023, unanimous support was given for a new pedestrian crossing, which has now been assessed as part the ongoing traffic study in the town.

Councillor Pat Kennedy put forth a motion at the time that sought to provide funding for a pedestrian crossing at the corner of Centra in Rathdrum “in the interest of public safety”.

With no pedestrian crossing on Main Street and the local supermarket and chemist on opposite sides of the street, Cllr Kennedy heeded residents’ calls to help provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross.

“This is something that is badly needed, and the elderly people in Rathdrum have been asking for it because they cross that road over to the chemist,” Cllr Kennedy said.

Over three years later, members of the public will finally be able to have their say on the proposals which will go out for consultation by Christmas.

Responding to a query from Cllr Kennedy at the October district meeting about the consultation happening on schedule, district engineer Avril Hill expressed her confidence that a draft study would be ready for review by the end of the year.

Cllr Kennedy expressed the importance of allowing the public to have their say on the plan.

“It is taking far too long to complete this study; the town can’t enter another summer season in its current state. A business case is also needed; funding should be made available to carry out a report on that too.”