*Cllr Joe Cooney. Photograph: Eamon Ward
APPLICATIONS have been made to carry out improvement works at a dangerous Clonlara junction.
Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) called on Clare County Council to “explore what safety measures can be put in place at Harold’s Cross, Clonlara and replace the Sixmilebridge sign which has been missing for some time”.
Harold’s Cross has been submitted to the local authority’s road design section for assessment and consideration under the safety improvement works grant for 2024, acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe Municipal District, Derek Troy confirmed.
He explained, “the reduction of traffic speed through the junction and improvement of the existing sightlines will be the primary objectives however a review of the regional and local traffic prioritisation will also be undertaken. Killaloe MD technical team will review the existing regional route directional signage and replace signs as required, as soon as possible”.
In October 2005, father of three Shane Browne from Meelick lost his life after the truck he was driving was in collision with a four by four vehicle at Harold’s Cross.
Speaking at the July meeting of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Cooney commented, “it is good that there is concern about this junction, as we’re well aware it is a junction that we need to be careful on, there have been minor accidents on it in the past”. He added, “it does need to be reviewed, it is good that it is in road design, hopefully they will come out with a new layout, the sign for Sixmilebridge has been missing for a good stage, people are getting confused”.
Numerous representations have been made about Harold’s Cross, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) flagged. “I am glad to see it is with road design, it is one of the unique locations where regional road gives way to local road. I welcome the progress made”.
Accidents are commonplace at the junction, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “You’d be surprised with the amount of tips that occur there, a lovely vintage car was made a haymaker at that junction”.
Road design will be reviewing the potential inclusion of Harold’s Cross in the grant scheme in September, Troy advised the meeting. “If there is an attempt to improve sight lines or step back boundaries we will take it into account,” he added.
“Hopefully it won’t be left on long finger and something will be done in 2024,” Cooney concluded.
