*Cllr PJ Ryan. Photograph: Martin Connolly
PATTERNS OF ACCIDENTS at Fianne Cross in Meelick must be examined before new design outcomes are put forward.
Alignment works at Fianne Cross were sought by Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) in a proposal before the Shannon Municipal District. “It is very dangerous and there has been a fatality here in recent times,” he outlined.
Accident details in relation to the junction have been requested “in order to find out if there is a pattern of accident type,” senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett said. “This will inform design outcomes,” he stated.
Recent times have seen a fatality at the location, Cllr Ryan commented. “Local residents and neighbours are concerned of another major accident in the near future, they’ve requested that the cross be re-aligned”. The county’s first citizen informed that landowners are “willing to offer the land free of charge” so that Fianne Cross is re-aligned. “The availability of their land to improve the cross would make a serious difference,” he added.
Although the cross is at the bottom of the hill, Cllr Pat O’Gorman (FF) noted the proximity to an amenity less than half a mile up the road. The car park for the amenity can take 30 to 40 cars, “it is used on a daily basis and to get as far as it you need to cross this bend and it is treacherous,” the Cratloe representative maintained.
