Idle Corner junction works to progress in 2027, council told

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Works on the 'dangerous' Idle Corner junction are set to progress in 2027, a recent meeting of Offaly County Council has been told.

Located on the N52 between Kilcormac and Blueball, and formed by the intersection of the the R357 to Mountbolus and the L6030 Garbally, the Idle Corner junction has been referred to as both "frightening" and "dangerous" by Offaly councillors.

In response to a motion brought by Cllr Neil Feighery in September of this year, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said it "appreciates the interest of the elected members in seeking improvements to road safety" at the location.

"TII is aware that Offaly County Council, as the road authority, is currently reviewing the junction and is actively assessing the issues identified at the location in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

"The TII Regional Road Safety Engineer has been working closely with Offaly County Council through this process, and the junction is included in TII's programme of work, and it is intended that the next stage of this process will be progressed during 2027."

The organisation added that it does not consider that attendance at a Council meeting would "add value" to the assessment process, however will continue to engage with Offaly County Council as appropriate as the review advances.

Cllr Feighery noted that yet another accident had occurred since the issue was tabled in September.

"There were no injuries, but the car was certainly wrote off. It shows you how timely and important this is," he said. "People are asking whether they will have to erect their own signage."

Cllr John Leahy added that the Idle Corner Junction was "the most dangerous junction between Tullamore and Birr".

Members agreed to write to TII to inform them of the additional accident, and press them to progress works in the area as soon as possible.