CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL have rejected pleas to improve the public lighting before the Tailrace Bridge in Parteen.
Reasons including its ownership by the ESB have been put forward by the local authority for not altering the lighting in the area.
An extension of the existing public lighting had been requested by Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) at a recent sitting of the Shannon Municipal District.
He flagged that the current infrastructure stops before the Tailrace Bridge in Parteen. O’Gorman felt that both driver and pedestrian safety would improve if the lighting was extended where a one-way system has been in operation for over sixteen years.
Anne O’Sullivan, senior executive engineer with the Council’s roads and transportation department confirmed that the lighting of the bridge had been investigated previously. She explained, “due to the level and nature of constraints including the HV electricity line and the required clearances, the ownership of the structure (ESB) and the potential of introducing a hazard to traffic with glare it is not considered a feasible project”.
According to Cllr O’Gorman, this was “a very negative response”. Residents have shared their concerns over “a black spot at the Parteen side of the bridge”. He felt the public lighting for road users coming from Parteen to Limerick was “back too far”. He continued, “Certain people are nervous enough, they don’t want to be sitting there if it is dark or black in the area. An extra light before the bridge might help take blackspot out of it”.
Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr John Crowe (FG) told the meeting the motion was sent to the roads office for response.
As he seconded the proposal, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) commented, “The footpath coming off that bridge going towards Parteen is extremely narrow, I wouldn’t agree with the technical reply”.
There was some better news concerning a motion from Cllr Begley seeking the road gully near the lights at Parteen Bridge to be reset, “the area surrounding it is crumbling,” he stated. His request has resulted in the approval of repair works.
