A SHANNON councillor has disputed the need for further traffic calming measures on the Gort Rd despite a proposal from a fellow elected representative.
Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) and Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) were at odds when it came to additional measures in the Gort Rd estate in Shannon.
An appeal for the Shannon Municipal District to “look into traffic calming measures” on the Gort Rd was issued by Cllr McGettigan at a recent sitting of the local authority. “This road is heavily used particularly during school hours, residents are concerned about traffic in the area,” she stated.
If works are needed, a budget must be identified, senior executive engineer Tom Mellett said. “An assessment of this road linking Drumgeely to Bothár na Rinne will be carried out to identify what issues are arising and potential solutions for them,” he added.
School traffic was at the crux of the concerns on “a very busy road”, Cllr McGettigan said. “There are cars parked everywhere,” the sole Sinn Féin member on Clare County Council commented while stressing the need for consultation with residents.
Although he seconded the proposal, Cllr Flynn questioned the need for more measures. “I’m one of the residents, I’ve no issue with speed on the road because there is none”. He outlined that on either side of the road lies St Tola’s National School and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, “it is affectionately known as the bumpy road because there are so many bumps on it”.
Any measures to be considered will require consultation with residents, Flynn agreed. “People with their vehicles are very sensible dropping their kids to and from school, we will always have some people breaking the law, the roads are not playgrounds, they are for vehicles”.
