Severe speed ramps in Leitrim to be reviewed
Cllr Brendan Barry proposed introducing a maximum gradient of one in 10 for all ramps and called for existing ramps to be modified to meet this standard, to ensure consistency throughout the county.
Severe speed ramps across Leitrim are set to be reviewed, including those on Castlecara Road in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Cllr Brendan Barry proposed introducing a maximum gradient of one in 10 for all ramps and called for existing ramps to be modified to meet this standard, to ensure consistency throughout the county.
“There isn’t uniformity across the ramps and some are more severe than others. Cars are hitting some of the ramps and getting damaged,” Cllr Barry said.
He pointed out that in the UK, speed ramps are not permitted to exceed 100mm in height, while in Leitrim some reach up to 160mm. The ramps on Castlecara Road, which have been the subject of ongoing complaints, are 180mm high.
Cllr Barry’s motion was seconded by Cllr Maeve Reynolds and Cllr Cormac Flynn.
Cllr Flynn, who has repeatedly raised the issue of the Castlecara ramps, told the meeting about a person recovering from surgery who cannot drive over the ramps due to their severity.
He also described a recent incident where a trailer hitch came loose on one of the ramps, causing the trailer to strike another vehicle.
Justin Fannon, Director of Services for Economic Development, Regeneration, Sustainable Transport and Emergency Services, confirmed that any problematic ramps in the county, including those on Castlecara Road, will be reviewed.
A Council response stated that Leitrim County Council designs speed ramps using a range of guidance documents.
As national standards do not detail exact ramp gradients, adopting a fixed standard locally isn’t feasible.
“The examination of specific identified ramps which fail to slow traffic without undue discomfort can be carried out which may result in amendments to the construction of these ramps,” the response concluded.