THE installation of a yellow traffic box on the bridge over the Groody River, County Limerick has been agreed to by members of Limerick County Council. The bridge, which is next to O’Shea’s Pub is frequently the scene of traffic obstruction, leading to long delays. Cllr Michael Sheahan contends that if there are more than three cars travelling in one direction over the bridge, it creates mayhem, as the structure is not wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic.
“People are frustrated for a long time about this and it is a hazardous situation,” he told the Limerick Post.
“If motorists are coming from town and turning on to the Golf Links Road, beside O’Shea’s pub, they might find there way is blocked.
“Three cars can travel at once but if a fourth joins them no one can pass as it sits in the middle of the road”.
He said that there are a number of inexpensive ways to solve the issue, as the problem does not justify a need for traffic lights.
“Traffic on the other side of the bridge should have to wait until the way is cleared before they cross it so if a yellow box was introduced it would assist with this.
“Alternatively a car activated yield right-of-way sign could be introduced, which would prevent the problem”.
At a recent meeting of the Castleconnell electoral area Senior Executive Engineer Finbarr Keyes said that there had been plans in place to widen the bridge a number of years ago but that the money for the work was coming from the development funds and they have “dried up”.
However, Mr Keyes said that he didn’t have any information on the road being dangerous.
“There isn’t a formal system in place to prevent cars from blocking the road but, generally, they do yield to allow traffic to pass”.
There was general support from fellow councillors for the introduction of a yellow box and this is to be considered by the full council.
