The temporary closure of the Bawnmore Road at St. Stephen’s Cemetery has caused concern for residents in the Irishtown area of New Ross

RESIDENTS IN the vicinity of the Irishtown in New Ross are worried that the amalgamated primary schools facility being constructed in the area will lead to traffic chaos when it opens in September.

A number of locals contacted the Echo in recent days to express their concern over the matter and say that having the Bawnmore Road closed at the moment is highlighting what it likely to happen when the new junior and senior school campus welcomes almost 800 pupils through its doors later this year. The road, which is closed to facilitate the installation of a new sewerage pipe, is where the new school building will be located.

The Irishtown area has long been associated with minor traffic problems at certain times of the day. There is one secondary school located there with two more within very close proximity and because of the Bawnmore Road being closed people are experiencing severe delays getting down through the area.

“On two occasions last week it took around 15 minutes to get from the cemetery to the traffic lights,” said one resident, Billy Moroney, who spoke to the Echo about the matter.

“People are worried that it will only get worse when the new school opens,” he added.

However, locals are worried that with the extra traffic travelling to-and-from the new facility the current congestion will remain or just get worse.

The Echo contacted Senior Executive Engineer with Wexford County Council, Abraham Dunne, about the matter and he said the entire traffic flow system in the area is being looked at.

“There is a sewer being laid at the moment and the road is closed as a result but that situation will not be there when the school opens,” he said.

New Ross Municipal District Council is also developing a Traffic Management Study for the area and Mr. Dunne said the efficiency of the traffic lights at the junction in the Irishtown is also being looked at.

“It might be possible to look at how they work to generate greater capacity,” he said.

The local authority is also considering removing the raised pedestrian crossing ramps located at the junction as they also contribute to excessive slowing down of traffic.

From a safety perspective Mr. Dunne said that with the traffic lights themselves remaining in place there shouldn’t be any safety concerns with regard to removing the ramps.

“The traffic will still be managed by the lights so there shouldn’t be any safety concerns,” he said.