Taxpayers face €230k traffic lights fiasco bill

IT’S the three-year traffic lights fiasco that is set to cost taxpayers over €230,000.

City officials in Cork have finally given the green light for a €60,000 roundabout to replace one removed for a €175,000 traffic light system that never worked.

The long-running saga at the busy junction of Togher Road and Tramore Road, near the entrance to St Finbarr’s GAA club, should end within months.

The National Transport Authority confirmed yesterday that funding to restore the junction to its original layout, must be spent before the end of the year.

Full details of the bizarre saga came to light earlier this year when it emerged €175,000 was spent on the junction upgrade in 2008.

The roundabout was replaced with a new lane layout and traffic lights, a new road surface and footpaths. The lights were switched on on June 25, 2008, but by July 14, concerns were being raised about their impact on traffic flows.

By November, Fine Gael Cllr John Buttimer raised concerns that the lights were causing huge traffic jams.

City engineers put the lights on flashing mode while options were being considered. They have been on flashing mode ever since.

In September 2009, Mr Buttimer was told that a new junction layout had been designed, which included a mini-roundabout and improved pedestrian crossings. But in July 2010, the project was deferred.

Earlier this year, Labour Cllr Ger Gibbons said the entire situation justified the “Ballymagash view of local government”.

However, Mr Buttimer confirmed last night that funding has been secured and the works are set to go ahead within weeks.

But he criticised the delay in bringing the project to conclusion.

“After spending thousands of euro on reports on traffic flow here, the removal of a roundabout and the installation of traffic lights, which were only operational for a couple of weeks, Cork City Council will spend upwards of €60,000 to put back a roundabout in the same location,” he said.

“I have raised the dangerous nature of the junction on many occasions at council, and I hope the solution being put forward will work to ensure increased pedestrian safety as well as allowing for the free flow of traffic.”

The tender competition for the project is to close by the end of this month with the work to be completed by mid-December.

The project will include the removal of all existing traffic signals, the replacement of road markings, and the provision of additional road signage to facilitate the provision of three pedestrian zebra crossings and the installation of a roundabout.

Zebra crossings will be provided on the Tramore Road, Togher Road and by the Deanrock Cottages, but not on the approach road from Doughcloyne Road.

Anti-skid surfaces will be applied to the roundabout and the road surface coming from the Doughcloyne approach road.