Speeds of more than 70 kph going through Carrigadrohid village

PEOPLE are driving through the village of Carrigadrohid at speeds averaging 70 kilometres per hour, well above the designated speed limit, it came to light at the Blarney Macroom Area Meeting on Friday.

According to senior executive engineer James Dwyer, the speed survey carried out on the Macroom side of the village in mid August had indicated that people travelling through the village were driving well in excess of the 50 kph speed limit.

A request from Councillor Moynihan for speed activated signs on the approaches to the village met with a stone wall, however, as Mr Dwyer pointed out that Carraigadrohid wasn’t within a CLAR area and therefore there was no funding for the provision of these signs, which are estimated to cost €7,000 per set of two.

“There is no specific funding for them and I’m conscious as well of the precedent it would set, too,” said Mr. Dwyer, adding that one sign could be provided if funding could be sourced with the possibility of a second later.

“I would be recommending that we do provide one now that the facts are known,” said Cllr Moynihan. “I’m sure people have got many emails saying how dangerous it is with people using the shop and crossing the road to get to the shop and the number of close calls, especially if they’re coming from the Macroom side.”

Other councillors were quick to agree with Cllr. Moynihan’s appeal and Councillor Ted Lucey said the bend was particularly dangerous.

Cllr Michael Looney said an appeal should be made to the community to get a contribution towards funding a sign on the Macroom side and other funding might be unlocked.

Cllr. Martin Coughlan said traffic calming measures would need to be introduced. “A truck went through there the other evening and it was clocking 60 miles per hour,” he said, proposing measures such as ramps.

It was also suggested that a speed van should be requested and that the matter should be raised with the Gardaí.

The engineer was requested to find the funding for the installation of one speed activated sign for the Macroom side of the village with the possiblity of a second sign to be added at a later stage should additonal funding be sourced.