A busy Waterford City Roundabout needs to be reviewed, according to one local representative.

One lane approaching the busy city junction from John’s Hill was changed to one lane recently, leading to lengthy traffic delays at peak times.

The Roundabout is a focal point in Waterford City, with several roads including Outer Ring Road, Williamstown Road and one of the main roads from the city, John’s Hill all meeting at the Roundabout.

Several Councillors have raised their concerns with the changes in recent years, with petitions set up asking for the changes to be reverted.

One such Councillor is Jim D’Arcy, who says he continues to receive complaints every week relating to the junction.

“There are pedestrian crossings on all sides of the Roundabout, but on one side there’s only one lane, and that is what we believe is causing delayed traffic.

“I think everyone agrees the Roundabout is safer for pedestrians, but we do need to see it working as a Roundabout. The problem with the area is that it is not performing as a Roundabout and the Council has agreed to take a look at that and have a review of it.

“We need to find out why that lane was taken out on the approach from the city, and why is it safe to walk across two lanes of traffic with a pedestrian crossing on three sides, but it is not safe on another?

“You could get stuck in traffic for up to half an hour, and people cannot get into their estates. It’s clogging up one side of the city and for what reason? It doesn’t make any sense. We have never been given a proper explanation. The problem with this Roundabout is that it was imposed on the people.”

Several Councillors also said in recent months that no voice had been given to the public in relation to the project, following rules under then Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in relation to Councillors in local authorities having no vote when it came to active travel initiatives.

However, the local authority did open the changes to a public consultation before any changes were made.

According to the NTA, Active Travel involves travelling with a purpose, using your own energy via sustainable means. It includes walking, wheeling, and cycling or the use of self-powered, non-motorised scooters as part of a purposeful journey. For example, walking to school and cycling to work are both considered forms of Active Travel.

Several projects are ongoing across Waterford City and County, to incorporate Active Travel in our roads infrastructure.

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