Costings are to be finalised for the installation of a pedestrian crossing in Sixmilebridge.
Referencing the presence of four housing estates, private dwellings and the use of the Rosmanagher Road junction in Sixmilebridge to walk to school and local shops, Cllr John Crowe (FG) led the call for the installation of the pedestrian crossing on what he labelled a route which is “exceptionally busy at school and peak work times”.
Senior executive engineer, Tom Mellett confirmed an assessment would be conducted “to determine the most appropriate form of crossing and a location for same”. An appropriate source of funding would have to be identified “to allow the project proceed to completion,” he added.
Cllr Crowe admitted he was delighted with the response. He flagged that a lot of traffic passes the road when heading in the direction of Shannon and Bunratty.
“Most of the residents of the four housing estates have young children in Sixmilebridge primary school. Crossing the road is an absolute nightmare, I have seen some near misses. I was often passing and you would hear mothers bringing children to school and they were shouting at me ‘are you going to do anything before something happens,’” the Sixmilebridge representative told a recent meeting of the Shannon Municipal District.
Increased proactivity is needed at the planning stage of developments “so when the people come that the facilities are in place,” Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) maintained. “Maybe we have failed as councillors not to have put enough pressure on Clare County Council to have facilities. Clare County Council have applied themselves in positive way to make roads safer”.
Pedestrian crossings should potentially be examined in the planning process when permission is to be given, Crowe responded.
Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally stated, “Certainly in more recent times we are levying with either special contributions or standard contributions facilitating those larger developments. Footpaths, lighting and other such infrastructure serving such large-scale development should be levied and dealt with as part of the planning process”.
