SAFETY FIRST ON KILLORGLIN ROAD

Residents call for speed restriction at Steelroe as new section about to open

SPEED limits on main road from Milltown to Killorglin will not be reduced, that’s despite pleas by local residents who fear that someone will be killed if safety concerns are not addressed.

The new improvement works on the main N70 include an improved surface and straighter road which will ultimately mean increased speeds by motorists, potentially putting lives in danger.

The speed limit in the area is 100kmph, however residents of Steelroe are calling for an 80kmph speed limit from Kennedy’s Cross to An Bansha as it is very difficult for cars from side roads and driveways to emerge onto the main road.

Concerns were also raised by resident Claire O’Sullivan, about the new road alignment which has been changed from a double white line to a broken while line at this location and the residents are calling for this to be reversed.

“Three people have been killed at this spot. We don’t want it to happen again,” said Helen O’Sullivan, who was also part of a deputation that had raised the issue at a South and West Municipal District meeting held in Killorglin on Friday.

The removal of a ditch near Steelroe would also help, according to local residents.

The deputation was led by Cllr Mike O’Shea.

Cllr John Francis Flynn also raised concerns about the road realignment on new roads as many are being changed when works are being completed and he said that action has to be taken to prevent another fatality.

Cllr Johnny Healy Rae also queried this, saying: “they make the road fit the book rather than the book fit the road”.

“They are operating out of the book but they have no idea what the stretch of road is like,” he added.

Senior Executive Engineer, Padraic Teahan, said that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is responsible for the speed limit and that it would be remain at 100kmph. The TII is also responsible for the road alignment and therefore the broken white line will not be changed, he added.

However, he said there are plans for a cycleway and footpath which will address some safety issues and that these works will lead to the removal of the ditch.

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Cllrs Michael O’Shea and John Francis Flynn with residents Michael Curran, Helen O’Sullivan, Jackie Nagle, Jerry and Anne Casey, Mike O’Shea, Claire O’Sullivan, Dermot Murphy, Sean McKenna, Grettie Curran, Breda Langford and Georgie O’Shea at Steelroe, Killorglin on the main Killorglin-Milltown Road where residents have safety concerns.