New signalised junction entry to Dunnes-Terryland Retail Park

The planning process for the provision of a new signalised entry junction to the Terryland Retail Park/Dunnes Stores car-park has been set in motion by the City Council.

A key part of the new junction is that it will allow traffic travelling northbound out from the city on the Headford Road to turn right into the Retail Park – currently such traffic has to continue onto the Motorpark (Kirwan) roundabout to access the Dunnes car-park.

The proposed new junction is to be located between the Menlo Park Hotel roundabout and the entrance to Dun na Coiribe on the Headford Road.

As part of the project, a new pedestrian lights controlled crossing point will be provided on the Menlo Park Hotel roundabout side of the junction.

Last week the City Council issued a public notice under Part 8 of the planning process to construct the new junction which will also incorporate cycling facilities.

Plans and details of the new junction are available for inspection at the City Council’s planning office until October 11 next. Submissions from the public will be accepted until October 25 next.

City Council Director of Services, Ciarán Hayes, said that they were proceeding with the planning stages of the new junction but stressed that funding had yet to be provided for it.

“We believe this is a project that will improve safety and access for all road users in the area – motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

“As for the timescale for the project to be completed, this will be dependent on funding becoming available,” said Mr. Hayes.

If and when this project does go ahead, it will mean that there would be two new sets of pedestrian crossings on what has been a notoriously dangerous section of roadway for people trying to cross the carriageway – the first of these is due to be completed by the end of October on the city side of the new Dun na Coiribe junction.

There has been one fatality and a number of serious injuries at the scene of the present pedestrian lights on the Headford Road over recent years. In February 2009, a hotel receptionist was killed when struck by a passing lorry while in September 2010, a woman in her 40s was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident.