Concerns are being raised over traffic congestion in Waterford City, with motorists reporting lengthy delays at a number of busy junctions.

Waterford Councillor Frank Quinlan has highlighted ongoing traffic issues on Stephen’s Street, where he says the current traffic light sequence is allowing too few vehicles through at a time, resulting in significant tailbacks.

In a social media post, Cllr Quinlan said he had contacted the Senior Roads Engineer at Waterford City and County Council to raise the issue, particularly during the morning school run when parents are attempting to get to work.

Traffic converges on Stephen’s Street from several directions, including Patrick Street, Bachelor’s Walk and Alexander Street, placing considerable pressure on the junction.

Cllr Quinlan believes the traffic lights need to remain green for longer to accommodate vehicles arriving from the three directions and improve traffic flow.

Meanwhile, similar frustrations were reported at the Farronshoneen roundabout last weekend, where motorists claimed to have experienced delays of up to 20 minutes.

Drivers reported that traffic lights at the busy junction appeared to be malfunctioning, allegedly turning red approximately every ten seconds and causing significant congestion.

Waterford among Ireland’s most congested urban areas

The latest complaints come as figures reveal Waterford motorists lost an average of 35 hours to traffic congestion in 2025, an increase of three per cent on the previous year.

According to the 2025 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Waterford ranked fifth among Irish cities for congestion, behind Dublin, Galway, Cork and Limerick.

The city also placed 330th globally in the study, which examined traffic congestion across more than 900 cities worldwide.

The findings highlight the pressures facing motorists travelling through Waterford, particularly during busy commuting periods.

The latest concerns have prompted renewed calls for traffic light sequences to be reviewed to ensure vehicles can move more efficiently through the city.