Works to repair 21 bends barrier are ‘imminent’
SAFETY BARRIER AT DANGER SPOT DETERIORATED AFTER CRASHES
THERE are fears for motorists’ safety after a crash barrier on a section of the Enniskerry road known as ‘21 bends’ has deteriorated once again. However, work to repair the damaged barrier is due to begin soon.
A spokesman for Enniskerry residents has raised concerns about the barrier, which has been repaired a number of times in recent years and is located where two people died in a terrible crash in 2004.
He said that the barrier appears to be weakened and would struggle to do its job if struck by a vehicle.
‘I don’t believe it would stop a 4x4, or perhaps even a car,’ he said.
He said that the safety barrier is badly compromised, with some of the uprights missing and the remaining ones buckled.
Wicklow County Council said last October that the district engineer was looking for quotes for remedial works.
A spokesman for the council said that works are now imminent following some earlier difficulties engaging a contractor to carry out the repairs.
The Enniskerry resident of said that the particular bend can be dangerous in all seasons: in autumn, skidding can be caused by leaves; in winter, by icy and wet conditions; and even in summer, when rainfall follows a prolonged dry period.
He has called for plans to regularly inspect the barrier and repair it as needed.
The barrier in question is on top of a steep embankment over the Glencullen River. Fourteen years ago, Annalise Fortune and Peter Neill lost their lives there when their vehicle went off the road and down a 12-foot drop to the river.
A number of collisions have happened there recently, with debris from cars clearly visible down the embankment.
‘ There has to be some give in the barrier,’ said the resident, who added that even the most experienced and careful driver could be at risk if there are poor conditions on the road.