Twice in the past 4 days we watched as large trucks attempted to offload heavy goods to shopkeepers trading on Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The image shown hereunder, indicates the problems being experienced by lorry drivers going about their daily work.
Liberty Square, April 13th 2023. Pic: G. Willoughby.
For a full 13 minutes, traffic travelling westward through Liberty Square in the town, were forced to queue in a line, same running back to the Willowmere Drive area, east of the town.
The driver operating without a helper, in order to deliver the heavy duty goods was left with no alternative.
Let us examine his predicament. He was driving from west to east. Traffic was busy and already tailed back. The small loading bays were full as were the now few remaining car parking spaces; same spaces reduced by partial upgrade of the Liberty Square area. Despite a traffic warden being on duty somewhere or other, same was not on hand to assist. The driver had no option but to pull away to his right to deliver his burden of goods, and with rear doors open, thus he blocked the only remaining traffic lane, westward on Liberty Square.
If this situation is Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) vision to lead us in the delivery and operation of sustainable transport, quote, “enabling public transport networks to drive inclusive growth; create job opportunities; thus enhancing the well-being of all persons, including vulnerable groups, while strengthening resilience to address climate change, maintaining the TII’s commitment to the environment and prioritise safety”, then God save us.
Over the past year, motorists and heavy goods vehicles have learned to avoid Thurles town centre, choosing instead to use the Mill Road to travel westward, and here also the narrow roadway has begun to subside. Motorists realising they are going to be late for appointments are now seriously breaking the speed limit on this narrow thoroughfare, happily aware of the absence of the local Garda Traffic Corps.
Aldi; Thurles Shopping Centre and Lidl all positioned, offering free parking, on the outskirts of Thurles must surely be grateful for the gift handed to them at the expense of local established businesses; latter left abandoned by those elected locally and nationally who had been entrusted with the protection our town centre. Local business owners must now, like every other Thurles employee, leave the Thurles area in search of other opportunities elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in accordance with Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended, Tipperary County Council have been made available, for public inspection, the plans and particulars of the proposed development on Slievenamon Road (N62) due to begin – God knows when. Plans and particulars for this proposed development are available for inspection or can be purchase at the following locations; Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Castle Avenue, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Again, same development makes for disastrous reading and will lead further, sadly, to the downward demise of Liberty Square, Thurles, unless the town rises up and declare a “motion of no confidence“ in members of our current administration.
Road conditions here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary are possibly the worst ever experienced by motorists, since the first car, a Benz Velo, was imported into Ireland in 1898. Since early February last, giant craters have been ignored and are been allowed to developed on just about every street surface, within the Thurles Municipal District.
Stradavoher, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The time has now come to ask questions. Why are motorists being asked to pay road tax when our roads are being permitted to deteriorate to the level of gravel patches?
Why are householders continuing to pay Local Property Tax, (LPT) when we are being asked to tolerate such current neglect; while receiving nothing in return?
Barry’s Bridge, with water now permitted to seep through into the main arch structure.
Surely, our two local TD’s, namely Mr Michael Lowry and Mr Jackie Cahill; latter who currently spend their time travelling around the area to have their picture taken with successful people for social media purposes, must have noticed the road conditions within their own town?
One of the many craters on Clongour Road, showing road markings being laid down over the existing craters.
Why, after less than 2 years, has a new roadway structure opposite Lidl, Thurles, [on Slievenamon Road (N62)] completely collapsed? What role are our highly paid municipal district officials and councillors all playing in this shameful failure to fulfil basic obligations?
The busiest road in Thurles, namelyKickham Street, now a gravel patch with stones and rain water being catapulted by the wheels of trucks & motor vehicles; striking the legs of pedestrians, latter walking the pavement and destroying the facades of buildings and walls facing the street.
Why are the people of Thurles remaining silent when their once prosperous town is being currently decimated through wanton neglect?
Images taken this morning here in Thurles and shown above, are accurateand a mere tiny sample of what is being currently experienced by Thurles drivers.
Note: A copy of this blog has been sent to Mr Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive at Tipperary Co. Council, asking for him to comment on the abovedismalsituation.
The occupants of the car, a man in his 30s and two male teenagers following the collision, were rushed to University Hospital Limerick to be treated for serious injuries.
The junction remained closed for a time yesterday to allow for an examination to be conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, but has since reopened.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses who may have dash-cam footage obtained while travelling on the R505 or R661 between 5:00am and 6:30am to please contact them at Tipperary Town Garda Station on Tel. No. 062 806 70; the Garda Confidential Line Tel. No. 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda Station.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tipperary Town Garda Station on 062 806 70, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Gardaí in Thurles, Co. Tipperary who searched a man, latter observed as acting suspiciously on Friday last; seized a number of capsules containing white powder, together with a weighing scale and a pack containing zip-lock bags.
The man was arrested and charged on suspicion of being in possession of drugs for sale or supply. The substance seized, subject to further clarification, was valued at approximately €1,000.
Other Garda News
Child Struck by Motor Vehicle.
A child, male and aged under 6 years, has been hospitalised, following an accident at Carrowclough, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.
At around 6:20pm last evening, the child was struck by a motorised vehicle. He was initially removed to Tipperary University Hospital, in Clonmel, but we understand that he has since been transferred to Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Rotunda, Dublin 1.
Three Men Injured in Single Vehicle Collision.
Shortly before 6.30am this morning a motor vehicle collided with a pole in Dundrum, 13.6km from Tipperary Town. Three men, all occupants of the vehicle were taken to University Hospital Limerick.
Witnesses to either of the above incidents are being asked to contact Tipp Town Gardaí, Tel: No. 062 51212 or indeed any Garda Station.
Every ordinary unqualified ‘Joe Soap’, in Thurles town, forecast that the design put on display for Bowe’s corner, early last October, would be a disaster. The issues raised by these unqualified ‘Joe Soap’s’, raised real concerns with regards to large trucks and buses making a left hand turn from Butler Avenue and Railway road, in their effort to access Abbey Road, (R660), Garryvicleheen, Thurles, without having to enter a wrong, oncoming vehicle lane. But sure what would ‘Joe Soap’s’ know about road engineering.
Thurles and Templemore Municipal District Engineer, Mr Thomas Duffy pleaded for patience with the Bowes’ Corner project, after a lot of ‘Joe Soap’s’ and some local councillors expressed concerns about the unfinished layout. Mr Duffy was to go back to the road designers to discuss these many local concerns.
Fianna Fáil, Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin, lacking somewhat in forward thinking; refused to be critical of this new design, since, as he stated, it remained incomplete.
According to Mr Duffey, the designers of this €650,000, project (€500.000 plus the €150.000 later added we are told) had run their ruler over their design, on numerous occasions, and he appealed to the unqualified ‘Joe Soap’s’ to have patience and wait until the project was completed and the overall plan was fully in place, before casting judgement.
Speed Hump (Black/Yellow) Safety Sign Adjusted by Traffic on Butler Avenue, close to Bowes Corner.
Well, as evidenced by the picture above, one high sided vehicle turning from the Cork side of Thurles Railway Station, unto Butler Avenue, now has a dirty great scratch along its side. It was attempting to get behind traffic already trapped, queued on the yellow diagonal box in the centre of the road; which happens so often, when traffic ahead is forced to comes to an unexpected sudden halt, at junctions.
When you erect a sign on a restricted narrow road; same jutting out over a kerb, expect it to be adjusted by heavy traffic, each and all attempting to use a restricted route.
Yes, not for the first time, has Councillor Mr Seamus Hanafin and District Engineer Mr Thomas Duffy, got it completely wrong. But sure taxpayers’ pockets are deep, so what does €650,000 for a little road alignment, matter anyway.
Measure twice, Cut once. See the new Liberty Square update for example: HERE and HERE and HERE and the new R-660 Abbey Road Roundabout HERE. Obviously, someone has cut a meter or so out of the centre of the engineer’s tape measure.
Time for Tipperary Co. Council to change their road designers and maybe employ ordinary unqualified ‘Joe Soaps’.
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