Drivers ‘playing chicken’ on approach from Purcell Park to Cluain Airne

*Purcell Park in Shannon. Photograph: Joe Buckley

RESIDENTS are to be met as appeals to remove the gateway system from Purcell Park to Cluain Airne intensify due to motorists “playing chicken” and regular complaints of speeding.

Dubbing the speed reduction measures leading from Purcell Park, Tradaree to Cluain Airne as a ‘gateway system’, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) asked the Shannon Municipal District to remove them at the earliest convenience.

She outlined, “this system does not seem to be working in the area but speed is still an issue on this road which only has one way in and one way out for those living in Tradaree and Cluain Airne”. The Shannon representative requested residents be met to determine the “how best going forward” to reduce speed.

Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett confirmed that speed and traffic volume surveys were to be undertaken in the area “to assist with an assessment of the existing infrastructure”. He added, “a meeting with residents can take place when this assessment is complete”.

Speaking at the July meeting of the Shannon MD, the Sinn Féin councillor referred to the “many complaints” she has received on the issue. “People are playing chicken with each other to see how fast they can get up the road,” Donna stated. She was pleased to hear the commitment to meet residents and shared their concern, “they are afraid a child will be hit”.

Her Shannon colleague, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) flagged that he raised the matter on numerous occasions. He pointed out that the late Mike McKee (SF) whose seat McGettigan was co-opted to had proposed some form of traffic calming initially in the area “but it was never envisaged that we’d get what we did”. The installation of easy ramps in new housing developments are “a huge inconvenience to local people,” he said while noting there are nearly 300 houses in the area referenced in the motion.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) commented, “It is time we did something positive for the residents, it seems to be a very serious situation, people are genuinely afraid that a child will be knocked down, there are a lot of people accessing this road with rather large motorbikes which are a serious major problem there”.