Cars ‘absolutely flying’ on ‘lethal’ approach roads to County Limerick town

CARS are “absolutely flying” on a number of “lethal” approach roads to a town in County Limerick, a council meeting has heard.

A motion was submitted calling for more traffic calming measures in Kilmallock at the February meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District.

The Cathaoirleach, Fine Gael councillor Gregory Conway, called for an inspection to be carried out at the three approach roads to Kilmallock, namely the R518 to Bruree, the R512 to Bruff and the R515 to Elton.

Cllr Conway said that whilst he wasn’t a “huge supporter” of speed ramps due to the damage they can do to cars, they might be the solution in this instance.

Independent councillor Eddie Ryan said that cars were “absolutely flying” on the roads, while Fianna Fáil councillor Martin Ryan described the roads as “lethal”.

In a written response to the motion, Senior Executive Engineer Diarmuid Sheehy outlined the challenges facing the council when it comes to introducing traffic calming measures.

“The installation of traffic calming measures at these locations can only be done within a speed limit zone and per LCCC’s Traffic Calming Policy Document.

“If following the completion of a traffic survey, an issue of excessive speeding is identified, the Municipal District Office would submit a case to the Senior Roads Engineer for the introduction of traffic calming measures at these locations,” he said.

“However, any such improvement measures will also require a funding source to be identified for same to be delivered,” he added.

Mr Sheehy said in the short term, gateway signs with speed limit information are set to be installed at the three locations.

Cllr Conway also submitted a written question ahead of the meeting, calling for traffic calming measures in the Fairyfield estate in Kilmallock.

In response, Mr Sheehy wrote: “As this estate is a short cul de sac road, residents are required to agree a plebiscite with 70% of the residents in favour of same. Any proposed works will then also require a funding stream such as GMA, as no ther funding stream is available.”

In addition, Cllr Conway submitted a written question requesting an update on a motion that had previously been brought before the council, which called for traffic calming measures to be introduced on Sarsfield Street in Kilmallock.

These measures were due to include a pedestrian crossing and the replacement of bollards on the corner of the street near Dansko Ltd.

In response to the request for an update, Ms Sheehy said the replacement of the bollards can be looked at by the district office.

However, he insisted that a funding source would have to be identified for the provision of a pedestrian crossing at the location, as there is no funding currently available.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin councillor PJ Carey asked for an update on a motion of his own, which called for the existing footpath from Bellview on the Glenfield Road to be extended.

The response to this question stated that those works are included under the Active Travel funding stream and will be included in this year’s schedule of works.