Safety works to start on Limerick road after ‘31 collisions in nine weeks’
THE COUNCIL is to close a section of the R513 near Ballylanders later this week to carry out works following a reported 31 collisions in 9 weeks before Christmas.
The busy road, which many use to travel to Limerick or Cork, will be closed from Curraghturk, Ballylanders at its junction with the L1577 to its junction with the R662 Ballyfauskeen Cross from 8.30am to 4pm this Thursday and Friday, January 19 and 20. Diversions will be in place.
A council spokesperson said: “While we acknowledge that accidents have occurred there recently, we have not yet determined the cause of these incidents.”
They said the road is being closed to allow roads staff to work safely as the road does not lend it itself for safe working widths with live traffic.
“Existing signage will be replaced where necessary and we are adding some additional chevron signage to highlight the geometry of the road even further to motorists,” said the council spokesperson.
Local councillor, Eddie Ryan said there has been 31 accidents in nine weeks on the 3km stretch on the Mitchelstown side of Ballylanders.
“Thankfully, there hasn’t been any fatal accidents but something had to be done before someone gets killed,” said Cllr Ryan.
He too doesn’t understand why there have been such a plethora of accidents in a short period.
“It just seems to be a stretch of road about 3kms long where cars are going out of control. It is a problematic stretch. There is an incline coming into Ballylanders. I’ve had two meetings with residents, council and gardai,” said Cllr Ryan, who praised the council for taking swift remedial action.