Six lanes to solve Wilton traffic woes

A NEW six-lane traffic plan for Wilton will be future-proofed for easy adaption, should a light rail system ever be established in Cork.

The layout of the new system — which includes six lanes, comprising bus lanes, outbound and city-bound bike lanes, and single traffic lanes each way — was presented to council members of the roads and transportation functional committee this week.

The first phase, at the Wilton roundabout and Dennehy’s Cross, will require the use of a portion of several front gardens along the western side of the road.

The plans also include the shifting of traffic-flow through the busy Dennehy’s Cross junction, slightly westwards, and the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Wilton Gardens.

The final planning stages, including a public consultation, will be advertised early next month, if the plans are approved by councillors at a full meeting this Monday.

Engineers will include preparatory measures to allow a light rail system to be established. A light-rail system is expected in the €3.1bn Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), which is due to be released for public consultation in the coming weeks.

Councillor Henry Cremin (SF) said he believes the €4m Wilton plan should be implemented as soon as possible, as it will make the area safer.

“The council has purchased property to provide traffic signals at Dennehy’s Cross and at Wilton Gardens, which has been a huge problem for years,” he said.

“What is being proposed is that there will be no right turn down Magazine Road, if you are city-bound from the Wilton Shopping Centre.

“You’ll have two lanes heading city-bound. One will be a bus lane, on the left, and the outside one will be city-bound, also. The pinch point has been there for years, with everybody coming into the one lane on the inside,” Cllr Cremin said.

“It looks good; that’s my honest opinion. For years, the residents of Wilton Gardens were frustrated, because they couldn’t exit onto the Wilton Road and now there will be traffic signals. There will be safer footpaths and cycle lanes,” he added.