Council ‘supports’ Cahersiveen road safety measures that would benefit all pedestrians

CAHERSIVEEN Community Programme (CCP) has called for traffic lights to be installed by a zebra crossing on O’Connell Street, between O’Connell Memorial Church and Camo’s Restaurant in the town centre.

The request was made during a deputation by the group at the South and West Kerry Municipal District meeting in Killorglin last Friday (November 18).

The group is under the auspices of Kerry Parents and Friends and cares for people with intellectual disabilities. It says some motorists take little heed of the crossing, making it unsafe not only for its members, but everyone in the town.

“People have told us they don’t feel safe crossing the road because the cars don’t always stop,” CCP Manager Ita O’Sullivan explained.

“People who attend our service say they’d feel safer if the crossing had traffic lights.”

South and West Kerry Municipal District Engineer Pádraic Teahan explained that the group’s suggestion would require approval from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), but added the council would support their idea.

The group also called for improved signage in and around Cannon Lane, where its centre is located.

“We need a sign at the entrance of the lane, to alert drivers that pedestrians walk in this area,” Ms O’Sullivan explained.

“The lane is very narrow, and visibility is very poor from both directions leaving the centres; we’d like two mirrors so oncoming traffic and pedestrians can be seen.”

The deputation also called for painted alerts along the lane way, as well as a painted walkway along the side of the road to provide pedestrians with a safe area to walk.

“The road from our centre needs to be better adapted to inform drivers that pedestrians walk the lane on a daily basis,” support worker Rhiannon Evans explained.

“With sufficient alerts we can give the people we support more independence.”

The deputation had been requested by Councillor Norma Moriarty, and the group was praised by all councillors present for its ‘informative, concise’ presentation.

“The cost is minimal,” she said. “These works will benefit everyone in Cahersiveen, not just the programme’s members.”

Mr Teahan said there was ‘no problem’ with the request for signage and markings, and work will begin shortly. However, he explained the request for mirrors is outside the council’s remit.