‘Barrier is needed for safety’

SIGNAGE DOESN’T STOP CARS CRASHING - A SIGN WON’T PROTECT A PERSON WALKING.

THE removal of a crash barrier on the Killorglin to Glenbeigh road has angered the local community who are appealing to Kerry County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to re-erect the barrier to protect those using the new walkway and cycleway.

This is despite Transport Infrastructure Ireland stating that there is no need for the crash barrier as the development of the new walkway and the works associated with this development have removed danger on this road.

However, Cllr John Francis Flynn has called on the local authority to write to TII to ask for the barrier to be put back in place on the route as he and other members of the local community are fearful that cars coming from Glenbeigh could find it difficult to take the turn and end up in the path of walkers or cyclists on the new walkway.

He said that the signage erected in place of the barrier is not a solution to the safety of all those using the walkway.

“It is a very busy walkway there is always some-one using it whether it is night or day. There is a bad bend particularly on the Glenbeigh side and if cars don’t take this bend, which is severe, there is a danger they could end in off the road onto the walkway,” explained the Killorglin councillor.

“There is signage in place but signage doesn’t stop car crashing. A sign won’t protect a person walking.”

Kerry County Council said that the decision to remove the barrier was taken because the hazards that necessitated the barrier have now been removed.

These included a steeped sloped embankment and a deep open drain and both have now been removed so a barrier is not needed.

The funding for the new walkway came from the Outdoor Recreation Grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development along with safety improvement funding from TII to removed these hazards and these works have now been completed.

In response to Mr Flynn they said that the barrier is no longer required in keeping with national road standards, Mr Flynn was told at a recent meeting of South and west Muncipal District.

He said that he believe that the barrier is still required for the safety of road users and would like TII to reconsider the situation.

Photo Michelle Cooper Galvin Cllr John Francis Flynn with concerned residents Debbie Brosnan, John Twiss, Orna Moriarty, Mary Naughton, Shannon and Mary Ragon and Danielle Brosnan on the Glenbeigh Killorglin road where the barrier has not been re-erected after works.