*East Clare representatives including Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF) called for a tougher approach on speeding. Photograph: Eamon Ward.ย 

EAST CLARE representatives have lambasted the lack of a Garda presence while hitting out at the repeated instances of speeding on roads from Killaloe to Killanena.

At the most recent sitting of the Killaloe Municipal District, four motions tabled by elected representatives related to the matter of speeding on roads and appeals for traffic calming measures.

Quin was highlighted by Cllr Pat Burke (FG) who asked for a revision of the existing measures on the R469 entering the village adjacent to the playground. No plans for further traffic calming are envisaged, works were completed in 2022 from the church towards the playground while a new section of footpath was also created.

Killaloe was brought into focus by Cllr Tony Oโ€™Brien (FF) who requested raised platforms be installed at the pedestrian crossings at New Line and Abbey Street. Enhancements are in the works for Abbey Street and St Flannanโ€™s Cathedral โ€œin the coming yearsโ€ while a review of the streetscape of Carrigs Lane is ongoing while the area referenced by Oโ€™Brien is to be added to a low cost safety scheme.

Kilkishenโ€™s case was raised by Cllr Alan Oโ€™Callaghan (FF) who felt speed bumps were warranted to slow down traffic in the village. Within the last three years a new zebra crossing while a commitment to complete another speed survey was made by Killaloe MD staff.

Updates on proposed traffic calming measures from Scariff to Tuamgraney were sought by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). A detailed 3D site survey has been completed, acting senior executive engineer Declan Flanagan outlined, the design of new measures are expected to take โ€œa number of monthsโ€. He added, โ€œthe issue of speeding and results of surveys have been provided to An Garda Sรญochรกna to request monitoring of speeding on this section of roadโ€.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Burke remarked, โ€œThe Clare Champion arenโ€™t here but the night of the count Dan Danaher asked me what was the biggest issue I met on the doorstep and it was speeding, I could have had ten motions down about speedingโ€. He said in Quin, there are โ€œthree sets of speed limit signs, one is too far out of the way, cars went completely past ignoring the first feedback sign, they are completing ignoring it. This has been raised before, when the playground was installed the Council looked at traffic calming, Iโ€™m going back to 2001, the playground lacks signage and traffic calming of any kindโ€.

Driver feedback signs work initially but not on a long-term basis, Cllr Oโ€™Callaghan stated. โ€œIt is going to be raised in every town and village in our own MD over the new few months, Iโ€™m hearing it around Kilkishen hurling field and Tulla soccer club and that is traffic calming, something needs to be doneโ€. He continued, โ€œAn Garda Sรญochรกna will be able to fill a book every time they come to our village and weโ€™ve done everything we can, I donโ€™t want to flood the place with ramps, reducing the speed limit is ludicrous, what is there is fineโ€.

Within the Killaloe MD there are currently โ€œno plans to implement further traffic calming,โ€ noted Cllr Hayes. โ€œWe donโ€™t have the funding or the mechanism to deal with it, everyone en masse has talked about the same issue, we couldnโ€™t say we have any town or village controlled with speed, it is something we have to addressโ€.

Killaloe based Oโ€™Brien said he hasnโ€™t observed a speed check on an East Clare road in two years. โ€œWe have a responsibility to do something about this, if it is only to highlight the inadequacy, I havenโ€™t seen a speed check in two years, it is a disgrace and we have been let downโ€.

He continued, โ€œMy motion came from just before the holidays, was coming down by Abbey St and Boys NS, a kid went to step on platform and the car coming up the hill actually increased their speed so they would be gone through ped crossing so child of eleven would be across, when I stood out on the road to berate him then he decided to have a go at meโ€.

Gardaรญ need to have a stronger presence, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) stressed. โ€œAs far as I can see putting up signs, feedback display signs and all that, people are not paying any heed to them, it is down to driver behaviourโ€. He added, โ€œIt is time for An Garda Sรญochรกna to get out, if you cannot obey the speed limit then tough luckโ€.

Hayes responded, โ€œWe donโ€™t have Gardaรญ to look after the basic things, our last man Ollie Baker is already gone from the area, we didnโ€™t even get a full briefing or a comeback on that which is a story in itself, the new policing committee has an independent chair and wonโ€™t be responsible to usโ€.

Cllr Cooney insisted, โ€œIt is an issue for An Garda Sรญochรกna and weโ€™re throwing it back on the County Council, weโ€™re looking for junction and road improvements but what more can the Council do but put big ramps in every town and village. Iโ€™ve proposed ramps before and had calls from people saying do you realise the impact to the farming community with tractors and trailers. Penalty points and fines is the way to tackle it, weโ€™re probably all breaking the law with speeding but something needs to be doneโ€.

Seven speed ramps are in place for motorists arriving into Newmarket-on-Fergus from Sixmilebridge, โ€œthey are working,โ€ observed Cllr Oโ€™Callaghan. โ€œAre we saying we need to put speed ramps through every village in the Killaloe MD,โ€ questioned Cllr Cooney to which Oโ€™Callaghan replied, โ€œIt is something we need to look atโ€.

Elected members cannot be discussing speeding for the duration of the Council term for the next five years, Cllr Hayes said. He suggested picking two villages per year until 2029 and โ€œsort them outโ€.

Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Cooney questioned what Cllr Hayes could put in place. โ€œThe plan was done up through the school programme, it needs to be done and implemented,โ€ Hayes responded. โ€œI could name ten more villages to Quin, we donโ€™t need this on the agenda going forward, we need to resolve it. We got elected to do it. If you go back through the agenda, weโ€™ve asked a lot of the same questions on traffic calming,โ€ he added.

Hayes continued, โ€œI donโ€™t think Gardaรญ have done much on speeding, maybe they will be out this weekend after hearing usโ€. He said, โ€œThe Council needs to up its game in delivery and getting things done, it is not a criticism against personnel but the system frustrates us allโ€.

Speeding is breaking the law, Cllr Oโ€™Brien emphasised. He suggested they write to the Department of Justice and ask to be included in a pilot project on speed cameras. Cllr Cooney proposed inviting the Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division to a future meeting. โ€œIf they are coming we need to have an agreed agenda and look at broader picture and how our policing model is working because the present system is not,โ€ Hayes responded.

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