Traffic lights preferred to a roundabout at Monksland junction

By David Flynn

A busy junction on the R362 in Monksland, approaching the Monksfield Park housing estate, is set to be upgraded to a signalised junction rather than one with a roundabout.

The works are due to include a proposed new access road to serve the residential development granted planning approval to the south of the junction.

The new signalised junction is set to be designed and constructed to fit in with proposed active travel plans on the R362 (Tuam Road).

Athlone-area members of Roscommon County Council heard details of the plan for the road junction, between the R362 and the local road L-75603, at Monksfield Park, during their July meeting last week. Senior Engineer with the council, John Mockler, gave a detailed report including a recent history of the plan for the South Roscommon road development, after hearing the members' comments.

As reported by the council in May, the project involves site clearance works, the installation of new shared surface footpath, new signalised traffic lights, new access road to serve the granted residential development and other ancillary works including the provision of traffic signs, road markings, kerbs, street lighting and high friction surfacing.

Mr Mockler told the local politicians that 31 submissions were received during a public consultation on the project in May, and that some of these supported it, but many raised concerns about the proposed scheme and there was a general preference expressed for a roundabout over traffic lights.

Independent Cllr Emer Kelly welcomed the submissions on the plan and said it showed the level of community engagement involved and the input the locals want to have.

"I have concerns about traffic congestion at the area, and has that been thought about in terms of the plan, or is it being considered?" asked Cllr Kelly.

Cllr Laurence Fallon, too, asked about the impact the project would have on road users.

"Would a roundabout be more suitable?" asked the Independent councillor. "I'd be looking for advice on that. What type of traffic lights will be put in, will it be two minutes one way or two the other way? It's important that it's got right."

Fine Gael’s Cllr Valerie Duffy asked if anything would be done to help people get onto the road, due to the level of congestion there.

"As far as I am concerned the traffic lights would be what I would see as the ideal option, provided that the lights will be controlled to let the traffic flow," said Independent councillor Tony Ward.

"Whatever type of system goes in there, it should make sure that traffic moves at all times."

Fianna Fail’s Cllr John Keogh said that, judging by the submissions, there was unease about the installation of a traffic light junction.

He asked what measures could be taken if people had a difficulty getting out of their houses, due to traffic being blocked at the lights.

"With a traffic plan like this, there will teething times, and it will be hard to please everybody," said the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Domnick Connolly.

Mr Mockler told the meeting the council was well aware of the concerns raised in relation to the proposed development.

"We're here because this is a condition of a planning application in relation to a housing development which has been granted, and it went through the public consultation process. There was one submission, and in that there was no mention of traffic concerns,” said Mr Mockler.

"Then afterwards there was an opportunity to appeal to An Bord Pleanála, and again nobody took the opportunity at that time."

He further said the public would have known about the traffic lights in the plan, and subsequently it was put up again for public consultation for feedback.

"An appraisal was done and traffic lights would be seen to be the option," said Mr Mockler. "Constraints in that area would not allow a roundabout and all the vulnerable road users wouldn’t be catered for.

"At the end of the day, we feel this design is the best design in this particular location."

Addressing the concerns about people getting out of their houses, he said that people did have problems in this location beforehand.

"Lights will make it easier for side-road access," said Mr Mockler. "Vulnerable road users are well catered for at the junction."

He added that Susan Loughnane, Senior Executive Engineer, would be open to meeting the Monksland Town Team in the future about the situation.