Calls for action on ‘death trap’ Duncannon Line

SADLY, it’s an all too regular occurrence to see gardaí closing off the notorious R733 Duncannon Line.

The sound of sirens echoing from Forth Mountain down to Murrintown sends chills down the spines of locals, as they hope beyond hope that the road hasn’t claimed another victim.

Fianna Fáil councillor Lisa McDonald has had enough. At the most recent meeting of Wexford County Council, she pleaded with officials and her fellow members for action to be taken on the dangerous stretch once and for all to prevent any further tragedies.

“There’s been umpteen deaths on the Duncannon Line,” she said. “I know all too well, I live just off it.

“We have to get to grips with this. We will never have the funding to deal with it correctly, so I want a letter to go to the Minister (for Transport Eamon Ryan) to ask if he can give us some specific funding for it.

“It’s a death trap. We’re constantly told speed and driver error etc are responsible, but we can’t just accept that.”

Cllr McDonald stated that, as a mother of a teen who is starting to drive, it terrifies her.

“We need to keep kids safe. It’s not good enough to leave things the way they are. There are lots of things that can be done to make things safer. We can’t just ignore it. I want to ask the government what they intend to do about the number of accidents on this 56km stretch of road.”

Director of Services with responsibility for roads Eamonn Hore agreed that there were major issues. “We can send a letter to the Minister, no problem,” he said. “This is a serious issue. I drive that road every day myself, so I’m well aware. There’s a speed issue among others.”