Part 8 – N22 MD O’Shea Roundabout to Ballycasheen Road Upgrade and L3907 Ballycasheen Road Active Travel Project

To Whom It May Concern,

Firstly, I want to commend the Council for putting forward this proposal. It's clear that serious thought has gone into the plan, with a strong focus on improving pedestrian and cyclist safety. These are welcome priorities, and any effort to make Killarney’s roads safer and more efficient should be encouraged.

However, I must emphasize one important point from the outset:

Removing the existing roundabout entirely will not solve the traffic issues at this location.

In fact, it may worsen delays and cause further safety concerns, particularly with regard to congestion on the N22 and vehicles exiting local access points.

With that in mind, I’ve outlined below some specific observations, followed by practical, constructive recommendations:

1. Traffic Volumes & Flow

Point:
There are constant tailbacks at this roundabout, particularly on both sides of the N22, stretching back toward the Upper Lewis Road turn-off and the proposed Whitebridge improvements. This congestion occurs year-round, especially during afternoons and evenings—not just during peak holiday periods. Traffic frequently slows to a crawl, as the roundabout is currently unable to handle the volume effectively.

Recommendation:
Rather than removing the roundabout, it should be retained but redesigned. I recommend reducing its size by half and lowering the central island to improve visibility. This would create space for widened lanes on the roundabout itself, facilitating smoother motor vehicle movements and improving traffic flow, while also allowing drivers better sightlines of circulating vehicles.

Additionally, traffic lights should be installed only on Upper Park Road and Park Road—not on the N22 arms—to assist vehicles exiting Killarney toward the Cork road and accessing the bypass safely. This targeted approach would ease pressure on the bypass and support smoother movement on the N22.

However, I strongly believe that installing traffic lights on all arms of the roundabout would worsen congestion, causing traffic to back up toward Tesco and blocking additional roads—particularly on the Tralee side of the N22. Therefore, traffic lights should be used strategically and limited only to local access roads where controlled exit points are necessary.

1. Pedestrian Crossings on the N22

Point: The existing pedestrian crossings on the N22 bypass arms are currently unsignalised, which leads to unsafe gaps in traffic flow and puts pedestrians at risk—particularly during busy periods. Pedestrians are left to judge fast-moving traffic, while drivers are forced to brake suddenly or hesitate at the roundabout exits. This not only compromises safety but also causes unpredictable disruptions to the flow of vehicles.

Recommendation: Install pedestrian-controlled (push-button) crossings at the ends of the N22 bypass arms, supported by central refuge islands. This would allow pedestrians to cross safely and in two stages, while helping to regulate crossing times to avoid unnecessary disruption to through-traffic. Controlled crossings at these points would prevent further congestion, improve safety, and allow drivers to focus on navigating the roundabout more confidently without unpredictable stops.

1. Supermarket Entrance Near the Roundabout

Point: Approximately 50 metres from the roundabout on the Cork side, there is a busy entrance serving a supermarket, petrol station, and takeaway. This entrance is located far too close to both the roundabout and a pedestrian crossing, creating serious issues for safety and traffic flow. Vehicles attempting to turn in or out of this entrance often:

• Interrupt the flow of traffic on the N22

• Cause vehicles behind to brake suddenly or swerve

• Contribute to congestion and queueing during busy periods, especially in the afternoon and evening

The problem is made worse by the lack of lane markings or separation, meaning through traffic and turning traffic share the same space—a major cause of delays and confusion.

Recommendation: If relocation of the entrance is not possible, the following improvements should be urgently considered:

• Construct two dedicated laneways—one for vehicles entering the supermarket and one for vehicles continuing on the N22—to ensure turning traffic does not block the main route.

• Add clear road markings, signage, and surface paint to define turning zones and keep through traffic flowing.

• Widen and formalise the entry point to make turning movements safer and more predictable.

• Explore options for a dedicated left-turn slip lane to allow smoother entry into the site without impeding the bypass.

Addressing this poorly placed and poorly marked entrance is critical to easing congestion, improving safety, and supporting better flow for vehicles exiting Killarney toward Cork.

1. Proposed Traffic Lights at Whitebridge Section

Point: Installing traffic lights at the Whitebridge section of the N22 is not advisable. Traffic volumes from Whitebridge are often low outside of busy periods, meaning vehicles may wait unnecessarily at the lights for a single car, causing inefficient traffic flow. This can lead to traffic backing up from the nearby railway crossing. The junction currently experiences frequent accidents, and traffic lights could exacerbate this by increasing sudden stops and rear-end collisions, especially on the downhill approach.

Recommendation: A roundabout would be a far better solution at Whitebridge, similar to those at Lissivigeen School and Michael D. O’Shea’s roundabout. These roundabouts generally maintain smooth traffic flow and only struggle during peak congestion caused by tailbacks from the Park Road roundabout. There is ample space at Whitebridge to install a roundabout and accommodate pedestrian-controlled crossing signals for occasional foot traffic from the nearby woodland without disrupting vehicle movement. Installing a roundabout would also improve outbound traffic flow from Killarney, easing pressure at the Park Road junction.

1. Unsafe Speed Transition Zone Before the Junction

Point: The current speed limit reduces from 80 km/h to 60 km/h approximately 120 metres before the traffic lights. This short transition is insufficient, especially given the downhill, low-visibility approach, high traffic volumes, and frequent tailbacks from the Park Road roundabout. Vehicles often reach the lights still travelling at high speeds, increasing the risk of sudden braking, rear-end collisions, and driver hesitation—particularly during congestion.

Recommendation: Extend the 60 km/h speed zone further uphill, beyond the Upper Lissivigeen turn-off, so that the reduction begins before the descent. This would give all vehicles—especially trucks, buses, and heavy goods vehicles—sufficient distance to reduce speed safely. It would also improve traffic flow and safety for vehicles turning from Upper Lissivigeen, serving businesses including KC Print, Killarney Crane, MC Group, Coolcaslagh Estate, and the Coolcaslagh Civic Amenity Site. Install advance warning signage such as “Traffic lights ahead” and “Reduce speed now” well in advance of the current speed limit change. Consider rumble strips or high-friction road surfaces to prompt earlier deceleration, particularly for heavy vehicles.

1. Downhill Gradient Leading Into the Junction

Point: The steep downhill section on the Cork side leads to vehicles unintentionally gaining speed as they approach the traffic lights. Combined with limited visibility and the possibility of stopped traffic ahead, this creates a high risk of rear-end collisions and erratic braking, especially among heavier vehicles.

Recommendation: Install rumble strips or surface texture changes before the descent to promote earlier deceleration. Add highly visible advance warning signs like “Prepare to stop” or “Traffic lights ahead.” Review and adjust traffic light sequencing to minimize unnecessary stoppages during peak times. Combined with the extended 60 km/h zone from Point 5, these measures will promote safer, smoother traffic flow on this challenging stretch.

1. Extension of Second Lane Approaching Proposed Whitebridge Junction

Point: With the proposed changes at the Whitebridge junction, it is crucial to extend the second lane further back on the approach to the traffic lights for vehicles turning into Ballycasheen Road. This extension will help accommodate increasing traffic tailbacks expected during busy periods, reducing congestion and improving traffic flow.

Recommendation: Lengthen the second lane on the approach to the Whitebridge junction to provide additional vehicle storage space. This will reduce the risk of queues spilling back onto the main carriageway and improve overall traffic efficiency at the lights.

These observations and recommendations are offered with the aim of further enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the proposed upgrades, ensuring the best possible outcome for the Killarney community and all road users.

Regards 

Jason Newby