East Cork roundabout ‘chaos’ causing traffic delays

Residents on the Whitegate Rd in Midleton are facing long traffic delays, with the Lakeview roundabout becoming “increasingly chaotic and unsafe”, a TD has said.

Traffic queues are routinely stretching back through Castleredmond and beyond Ballinacurra, Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide recently told The Echo.

“What is especially concerning is that the road carriageway has now been reinstated in the context of an active travel project being developed,” Mr Quaide said.

“Fibre optic sensors for the new sets of traffic lights are also connected, yet the traffic problems remain severe and considerably worse than they were prior to the commencement of the project.”

The deeper problem is the management of traffic through the area and not just a temporary disruption caused by roadworks, he added.

Road beyond capacity

The Cork East TD said that the road is beyond capacity, adding that significant residential development is planned along the route and this will exacerbate the problem.

“My concern is that, if these delays continue, they will undermine public support for active travel infrastructure,” he said.

He called for Cork County Council to review the sequencing and proximity of traffic lights in Castleredmond, the placement of bus stops, and the traffic management plan for Ballinacurra and the Lakeview roundabout.

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said the Ballinacurra-to-Midleton pedestrian and cycle active travel scheme will provide safer walking and cycling facilities, improved pedestrian crossings, upgraded bus stops, and better connectivity.

Kept under review

The spokesperson said: “Signal timings and junction operations are being kept under review in the early operational phase of the scheme.

“The traffic signals on the R630 have been configured to provide maximum green time to traffic on the R630 during peak periods, while also maintaining safe-crossing opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists.”

They said that they will continue to review the sequencing and operation of the signals and wider traffic-management arrangements, and consider any adjustments that could improve traffic flow.

They said that the Lakeview roundabout had experienced traffic congestion prior to the commencement of the active travel scheme, and that N25 Midleton-to-Youghal transport project consultants are examining potential interim solutions.