A councillor has described as “absolutely frightening” the number of cyclists without proper lighting on rural roads.
Councillor PJ Kelly (FF) was speaking as calls were made for the appointment of a full time road safety officer for Clare.
“Unfortunately we have had a lot of accidents. We had quite a few over the Christmas,” Cllr Kelly told a meeting of Clare County Council, “There is a lack of awareness about the importance of road safety”.
He continued, “One thing that scares me at the moment is the amount of cyclists on rural roads at night without proper lighting or clothing, it’s absolutely frightening. The schools should be visited, they are the first place that we should go to. We have to create that bit of awareness”.
Carmel Kirby, director of physical development, said the council has secured a commitment from the National Transport Authority for additional resources under the Active Travel programme.
The active travel programme funds projects supporting strategic pedestrian and cyclist routes, access to schools and urban green-ways.
Ms Kirby said, “Initially when the active travel programme came out, two resources were assigned to small counties like Clare. I have had a series of meetings with the director of the national transport authority who have agreed to increasing the allocation to Clare County Council based on the performance of Clare County Council in delivering the active travel programme. I have secured agreement to deliver additional resources. However it is being done on an incremental basis as we are showing to deliver on the programme. Clare has been highlighted as the best performing local authority delivering the active travel programme outside of the three main urban centres. So as we are delivering the scheme, the resources are increasing. The NTA has agreed, over a period of time, to give us the allocation for an active travel officer”.
The request for a full time road safety or active travel officer for Clare was made by councillor Gabriel Keating (FG).
Cllr Keating said, “In January 2021, Minister Eamon Ryan and Hildegarde Naughton launched funding for up to 248 jobs in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities around the country. One of the conditions was that each local authority would appoint an active travel officer. There has been a huge increase in the number of fatalities on our roads in county Clare and around the country. I think it’s time now we consider appointing a new full time safety road safety officer”.
In reply to the motion, John Leahy, senior engineer roads and transportation, “Options for the promotion of road safety and active travel are currently being considered. Discussions have also taken place with the National Transport Authority in relation to the appointment of an Active Travel Officer. Clare County Council will actively pursue this appointment with the National Transport Authority and will continue to work towards getting funding approved for this post in 2023”.
