A NORTH CLARE cross is forcing drivers to take their life into their own hands, an elected representative has warned while an appeal to ban large buses from certain roads has failed.
Appeals for a safety audit at Garrihy’s Cross in Carnane and Doolins Cross were issued by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). He was also keen to see recommendations on improvements “at these very busy intersections. I suggest that signposts are put in place to ensure large bus traffic is not allowed on the unsuitable roadway from Doolins Cross to Garrihy’s cross and also from Kilfenora to Doolins Cross”.
Senior executive engineer in the West Clare Municipal District, Enda MacNamara said they would request the road design office to review the junctions and prepare designs for any proposed changes. He flagged that roads leading to the crosses are public roads, “buses cannot be banned from using these public roads. Signage can be erected to encourage users to use alternative routes”.
“It is a place where you could potentially be taking your life into your hands,” Cllr Garrihy remarked. He noted that the route was “famous” as “a direct rat run for buses from Kilfenora”. He suggested the review be incorporated with the speed limit review. “Doing nothing is not an option,” he stressed.
Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) questioned, “Buses cannot be banned but how can we actively discourage them. Are there any mechanisms in the system which allows us to filter out traffic”.
Director of Services for Rural Development, Leonard Cleary said a cross directorate meeting has been arranged between the transportation unit of the Council, the rural directorate and the West Clare MD where these concerns can be raised.
