Flood protection works along Ashe Quay in Fermoy are making “substantially disappointing progress,” Mayor Michael Hanley has said. He was speaking after a recent traffic management committee meeting in the town.

Cllr. Hanley said however that their committee has been advised by the senior manager of the project that the situation will change greatly in the next few weeks.

At their meeting the committee also discussed the traffic lights at Pearse Square, which are presently only allowing three vehicles through before turning to red. They’d been advised by the local engineer that this was due to a ‘loop error’, Cllr. Hanley explained. The engineer is awaiting personnel to fix the problem and the repairs are due to be completed within two weeks.

BRIAN BORU LIGHTS

As regards the pedestrian crossing lights at Brian Boru Square, Cllr. Hanley said, “the traffic management committee has been labouring to get the lights up and running.” They appreciate the works that have been done but were taken aback to hear that six different bodies are involved in getting the lights operational. “It’s a nightmare for the engineer to coordinate. He has demanded that it be done,” Cllr. Hanley advised.

The school bus stop area at Emmet Street was another point of discussion at the traffic management committee meeting. “Significant progress has been forthcoming and we would appreciate it if buses heed how they park there when dropping off and collecting students,” he said.

Two taxi bays are to be established on the Patrick Street side of the AIB. While the bye-laws have been passed to allow  the move, there’s been a delay in putting in the relevant road markings. “We expect it to be done speedily,” Cllr. Hanley said.

STREET LIGHTING

Finance is awaited from the National Roads Authority (NRA) to improve street lighting on MacCurtain Street in Fermoy, Cllr. Hanley also advised. “The standard of lighting was deemed to be inadequate by the elected representatives and by residents and this point was repeatedly made through Cork County Council to the NRA,” he said, adding “The NRA have agreed to fund the upgrade to bring it up to an acceptable level. We’re awaiting finance from them to do it,” he said.

Two intersections in Fermoy considered to be dangerous have been the subject of repeated representations through the town council to the NRA, the mayor also revealed. They’re seeking proposals from the NRA as to how they can be better managed. The junctions are at Oliver Plunkett Hill and Beechfield. He said the Oliver Plunkett Hill junction is especially dangerous for people exiting from St. Bernard’s Place.

The mayor pointed out that the traffic management committee are very aware of traffic problems in the town, however people can, if they wish, bring issues to their attention and if they can do something, they will. Any such correspondence should be addressed to the traffic management committee c/o Fermoy Town Council.