Residents in the Árd Na Groí estate in Tramore staged a demonstration on Saturday over plans to remove one of the exit lanes from their estate.
Currently, the estate has two exit lanes onto the ring road, one for turning left and one for turning right. Under the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel plans, the left-turn lane would be removed, leaving only a single exit.
Locals say the change will increase congestion and make an already difficult junction more dangerous. They argue the separate lanes were designed to handle peak-time traffic during school runs and commuter hours.
Exit in question, Árd Na Groí estate, Tramore.
Speaking to WLR News, resident Emilia Clancy said the layout is already a problem:
“Getting out of the estate is becoming very difficult. At the moment, if I want to turn right in the morning, it’s so busy that I sometimes go left towards the Gaelscoil, turn around, and come back just to get out. If the left lane is taken away, it’ll be even worse.”
Another resident, Niall Rooney, said the lane was originally built for a reason:
“The council put in that left lane in recognition of the traffic. If they’re removing it now, what has changed to justify that? During school runs and rush hour, traffic is already backed up. Taking it away will cause difficulties and, potentially, accidents as people get frustrated.”
The NTA’s Active Travel programme funds projects such as segregated cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings, and widened footpaths, with the aim of encouraging more people to walk and cycle in line with the government’s Climate Action Plan.
Local Councillors Eamon Quinlan and Blaise Hannigan organised the gathering, with around twenty-five residents in attendance.
Residents say they support safer infrastructure but believe removing the lane will create new risks for drivers trying to access the ring road.
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