Sat Navs causing traffic chaos on Kinsale's streets

SATNAVS are being blamed for sending artic trucks and buses into the heart of Kinsale town centre leading to ‘chaotic’ scenes of traffic.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) made the comment at a meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District in Kinsale where he called on Cork County Council to make an immediate start in implementing the town’s Traffic Management Plan, which they have been waiting years for.

‘It’s chaotic at the moment and it’s virtually impossible to get into Kinsale  as satnavs are driving artic trucks and buses into the heart of town centre. It’s also driving local people away from the town itself as they can’t get access in there to do their shopping,’ said Cllr Murphy.

‘I’m here seven days a week so I see it and The Glen is one such area that has become a major, major bottleneck. If we are serious about bringing people in we need to do something as they won’t be prepared to sit in the car for hours due to some van doubly parked or even triply parked!’

Cllr Murphy said they should try and initiate the traffic management plan in patches where they can which might help somewhat with the issue and he praised the work of the traffic warden.

Newly elected councillor Marie O’Sullivan (FG), who runs her  own business in the town, said she is very much aware of the traffic issues there and supported the motion. 

‘Sometimes when you go up The Glen you’re playing chicken with the cars as you’re sitting and waiting for a big space so you can go up. Also recently a coach from the cruise ships came down The Glen and down Pearse Street creating a bottleneck there straight away,’ said Cllr O’Sullivan.

‘I think these people should be advised through some kind of  signage that the streets are not suitable for their vehicles.’

Cllr O’Sullivan also highlighted the fact that some of her customers are avoiding coming into town and she has regular customers from Cork city who avoid coming to Kinsale  in July and August.

Municipal officer Enda O’Halloran said that they do send out instructions to these companies about traffic.

Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) – who chaired his first meeting as newly elected chairperson of the Municipal District – supported the motion but  said that what was needed was an update on the traffic management plan as opposed to starting from scratch. He said that the issue of pedestrianisation is something that has to be tackled.

‘Things have moved on in five years and the volumes of traffic have changed and the thinking has changed a little bit too and we should look for an updated traffic management report,’ said Cllr Coleman.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) said the people are open to all suggestions and want to do the right thing and that includes even a park and ride system.

Senior executive engineer Charlie McCarthy said the bigger picture is the need for relief roads in the town.

And he added that those need to be pushed ‘at a different forum to this one’.

----

Bandon Co-Op is delighted to be involved with and supporting many local community groups all over West Cork. This video encapsulates some of the wonderful people that we have the pleasure of dealing with #TogetherStrongerWestCork