*Bridgetown National School, Cllr Tony O’Brien
TRAFFIC calming measures have been called for on the R466 at Bridgetown National School and church, despite a council traffic survey finding that most drivers were travelling well below the 50km/h speed limit.
The issue was raised by Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF), at the September meeting of the district.
In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Declan Flanagan said a recent traffic survey undertaken at Bridgetown National School recorded an 85th percentile speed of 36km/h, meaning 85 per cent of drivers were travelling at or below that speed. He said this was significantly below the posted limit and indicated a high level of driver compliance at the location.
The response said the existing layout within Bridgetown village provided for safe access and egress to the National School and church grounds.
Existing measures include a school bus stop adjacent to the school, designated disabled parking and a school drop-off system which is set up similarly to a one-way traffic arrangement and operates during school drop-off and pick-up periods.
The council said the arrangement was operating effectively and that, having regard to the traffic survey and existing traffic management measures, there was currently no evidence to support additional traffic calming at the location.
Clare County Council also continues to encourage schools to participate in the Safe Routes to School Programme, which supports front-of-school safety improvements, walking and cycling infrastructure and additional cycle parking.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr O’Brien asked for the survey findings to be explained. He said that while there might be a high level of compliance with the speed limit, this did not excuse those who were not complying, and that residents were still at risk.
He asked where the survey had been carried out. Mr Flanagan said it was adjacent to the R466, while the school and church were accessed from a local road.
Cllr O’Brien said the R466 was where the problem occurred.
He said the road became “impossible” around Mass times and during school drop-off and pick-up, with cars filling the road and parking on the R466. He said the drop-off system relied on an “unmanned, unwritten agreement” for motorists to travel clockwise.
He said there was a “huge difference” between traffic on the R466 and traffic once motorists turned off the regional road. He also raised concerns about trucks and lorries travelling at excessive speeds through the area.
Cllr O’Brien said traffic calming measures similar to those in Bodyke could be considered.
Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF), who seconded the motion, referred to traffic management measures on the R462 which he said had improved safety around schools.
He said a physical barrier supporting a one-way drop-off and pick-up system had made the area safer and suggested the same approach could be considered for the R466. He said more could be done around schools, including through Active Travel measures.
Cllr Conor Ryan (FG), Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, supported the motion, as did Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).
Concluding the discussion, Cllr O’Brien asked the council to go back and examine the R466 specifically.
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