The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Woman and child’s miraculous escape on deathtrap road
YET ANOTHER CLOSE CALL FOR MOTORISTS ON THE DALE/ RATHSCANNELL ROAD AS CAR PLUNGES OFF CAUSEWAY
A WOMAN and her grandchild (9) survived a terrifying road crash in the latest incident on the treacherous Dale/Rathscannell Road in Abbeydorney on Friday when their car plunged off the side of the lethal stretch.
It’s an incident leading to renewed calls for immediate redesign works of a route now labelled a ‘deathtrap’; and follows a similar recent incident when tourists went off the road nearby.
Local Fine Gael County Councillor Aoife Thornton says it is imperative the road receives funding in January’s special improvement allocations - before it is too late.
“Unfortunately we’ve just witnessed yet another serious accident on the Rathscannell road. Thankfully the people involved escaped without serious injury, but locals are wondering what it will take before it is addressed,” Cllr Thornton said.
She met with Minister Brendan Griffin on Friday on the issue and spoke again with him on Sunday in light of the latest incident. “He is acutely aware of the danger and seriousness of the situation, as is Roads Minister Shane Ross, who walked the worst part of it on his visit in June.”
As of the end of the year, there is still no positive word on the future of a recent application by Kerry County Council for funding under the special improvement grant, however.
“The grant will be allocated in January and in the interest of ensuring the road secures the funding required for the redesign I would implore motorists to contact their local TDs about the dangers they face daily.
“We now know that 6,500 use the road daily so the threat is of grave magnitude. I’m now seeking a meeting with Minister Ross to present him with the entire case file, including crash photos, of the route as securing funding for it is my priority,” Cllr Thornton said.