Council 'wasn't aware' of the sequencing of lights issues in Cashel that has caused huge traffic problems

The frustration of motorists in Cashel town has been acute over the last few months with long delays into and exiting the town as building projects that were due for completion still aren't finished. 

The ongoing issue affecting the public was raised at the recent December meeting of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District and those present were made aware of the traffic congestion at Boherclough Street in Cashel.

During the District Engineers report the issue was brought to the attention of Council representative James Swords by Councillor Declan Burgess who said: 

"Obviously the Housing development and Irish Water are working away at the moment but it is quite frustrating given the length of the works going on a long number of weeks now," he said before adding that it hindered the Christmas period in Cashel and there are "a lot of calls coming in on it."

He asked when would the job be finished at the junction because Irish Water were meant to be "in by July, then September and into Christmas week on the Clonmel Road". 

Councillor Roger Kennedy also addressed James Swords about the ongoing issues when he said: "My understanding was that work was to cease and it is frustrating. 

"The sequence of the lights, particularly for traffic coming into town, seemed to have been relatively short compared to the other two and as a result the Tesco roundabout was clogged up at various stages.

"When they are there working the hold ups are minimal because they change the sequence of the lights themselves and accommodate the traffic themselves and in fairness to the contractor Irish Water has frustrated him to no end but we look forward to a resolution of the overall problem."

Regarding the sequencing of the lights Council Representative James Swords said: "I wasn't aware of that now" he said before adding that "we will mention it to the contractor to have it monitored.

"We are a bit frustrated there with the time frame ourselves. I queried it myself to do with an Uisce Eireann issue."

Councillor Roger Kennedy then pointed out to James Swords that "there was no issue when they (contractors) were there, it was the sequencing when they went away," he said in reference to his earlier point for clarification purposes.

Engineer James Swords then said :"Just in response we will make sure they monitor it when they are not there."