Portroe needs comprehensive traffic management plan

There is serious concern amongst local people in the parish of Portroe regarding traffic management and a current planning application by a developer in the village, Labour Party TD Alan Kelly has stated.

He says the developer, Subgero Ltd, has submitted a planning application recently regarding retention of storm water infrastructure and changes to footpaths, lighting and parking.

However, Deputy Kelly has called for both a comprehensive plan for managing traffic and an assurance that there will be an adherence to the original planning conditions issued in relation to the development.

The local Labour Party TD stated: “This estate, called Schoolhouse Row, got planning permission over 20 years ago. It was partially constructed and then left derelict for nearly two decades.

“The housing units were vandalised and left open to all types of weather. Over the last two years there has been sporadic sightings of workers on the site, often at very unsocial hours.”

Deputy Kelly pointing out that Tipperary County Council refused permission to extend the permission for this development in 2009, adding: “So, I am surprised that a full comprehensive new application has not been submitted by the developer, and I presume the council will insist on same in order to ensure building regulations and fire regulations are brought up to modern standards.

“It wouldn’t be acceptable, in 2025, to leave these houses be completed under standards that are from a different era; an era that has cost the State hugely as we have learnt to our detriment.”

CONDITIONS

Deputy Kelly said the original planning permission had a number of planning conditions. “And now there is a fear locally that they are just going to be ignored. This is causing serious concerns locally as the site is located on the very busy R494, beside Portroe National School and on the brow of a hill where sightlines are very limited, if present at all.

“Furthermore, I understand there is a right of way through the site for agricultural machinery, so heavy traffic will be present as well,” said the TD, who actually lives in the parish in Portroe and has been listening to the concerns people have about developments at the controversial site.

He said: “The original planning stated that ‘prior to the occupation of any unit, a comprehensive traffic calming scheme on the R494 regional route shall be provide at the developers expense’. This has not happened, and according to the latest planning application, there seems to be no plans for it.

“This is unacceptable to me and to local people. What’s currently planned by the developer would be highly dangerous, and there is no way I could envisage that any council could allow it based on traffic safety alone.

“It would entail traffic coming out from a site on a hill beside a school where their traffic entrance is very close. It would also see agricultural traffic pulling in and out of the site while parents and buses bring children to and from school.

“In addition, the parish church is just below the site on the opposite side and during services the parking situation can be chaotic. There already is a huge parking issue in Portroe and, effectively, the church car park is being used as a default parish car park, which isn't acceptable either.”

SIMPLE TRUTH

Deputy Kelly said “the simple truth is that Portroe has changed substantially over the last 25 years since this development occurred.

“A new social housing estate has been built and occupied on the street; the school has increased in numbers; there has been new developments and residents coming to live on the street of Portroe. There has been a large increase in agricultural traffic and the route is now a busy bus route for Bus Eireann's 323 route from Nenagh to Limerick.

“Many local residents have complained to me about - not just parking on the street - but also the speed at which traffic travels through the village.”

NO ENGAGEMENT

Deputy Kelly said the developer needed to engage with the management of school. Residents were concerned that the contractor on the site was going to remove nearly all the adjacent parking in his plans.

He said account needed to be taken of the legitimate concerns of residents in regard to illegal parking and congestion as a direct result of a development “that currently provides no real parking for 22 new units”.

“When this development occurred there was a commitment to provide badly-needed car parking and access to the school. This seems to be qualified in the new application, which states that there will be ‘possible vehicular access to the school’,” said Deputy Kelly.

He added: “Bottom line is that these houses are a result of the property crash of over 20 years ago. There are real concerns in relation to building standards and fire certs for these buildings and there are many other issues as well.

“However, the people of Portroe are adamant that a proper, comprehensive traffic management and safety plan is delivered for the village, and the time to ensure that this happens is now as part of this development.

“Anything less than this will, I believe, put local people's lives at risk and that is totally unacceptable.”

RESIDENTS’ VIEWS

Local resident Nessa O’Driscoll said: “As a local resident on the Main Street, the situation with traffic and parking is becoming so dangerous. If this development is to go ahead - as per this application without a full traffic management scheme that deals with managing school traffic and slows down traffic coming into the village - then I have no doubt that there will be serious accidents and incidents in the future.”

Darren Gleeson. who lives nearby, said: “We have had no consultation whatsoever on this application by the developer. The situation in Portroe with regards to traffic is so dangerous. It’s time it was sorted out once and for all, and it has to be now.

“We need a comprehensive traffic and parking plan that deals with all the issues in the village. The school, its teachers, the parents, the bus drivers, local and parish residents all need this. It’s crazy to have another estate entrance coming out onto the Main Street without a full plan of works in place.”

Local resident Mary McLoughlin stated: “We also have a health clinic across from the school which needs unrestricted access in an emergency and to be able to meet the requirements of people with disabilities and mobility issues. We are concerned as to whether there has been any consultation with the health authorities on this.”