TWO SEPARATE ACTIVE Travel funding proposals for Tuamgraney were rejected by the National Transport Authority.
Officials within the Killaloe Municipal District last year unsuccessfully applied for the provision of a new footpath on the R463 to link the existing footpath at Tuamgraney Castle to the existing footpath on the Killaloe and Ogonelloe Road towards Raheen.
Under the second proposal, a new footpath on the R352 to link to the existing footpath on the Bodyke and Tulla Rd to the GAA grounds and Tuamgraney graveyard was planned.
Outgoing acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe MD, Derek Troy explained, “both proposals sought to provide improved pedestrian facilities across the R463 and R352 creating linkages between the villages and centres of activity or interest and to incorporate traffic calming measures. Unfortunately these proposals along with other similar proposals throughout Killaloe MD were unsuccessful”.
At a motion before the Killaloe MD in July, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) called for traffic calming measures to be installed in Tuamgraney “with particular emphasis on the approach roads into Tuamgraney village, speeding has become a major problem in these areas for local residents and needs immediate attention”.
As a result of the Active Travel setbacks, the Killaloe MD now plan to “seek funding from planning contributions in order to deliver these projects,” Troy stated. “I wish to confirm also that the driver feedback speed limit sign on the Bodyke/Tulla Road which had been malfunctioning has been replaced earlier this year”.
Speaking on the matter, Cllr Hayes stated, “We have Tuamgraney as a key junction into East Clare from all areas, Cllr Burke alluded to Drewsborough the last time it was brought, the volume of people asking me will we do anything about speeding in Tuamgraney and asking how can we slow traffic down”.
Hayes referenced plans of the Limerick and Clare Education Training Board to develop in Scariff and the continued growth of Scariff Community College. “We have signs to slow the traffic but we need to put traffic controls in,” he continued. “A full review and traffic safety plan needs to be put in place, we are trying to develop as a tourist village linking to Scariff”.
Seconding the motion, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) recalled that he tabled a proposal on speeding in Drewsborough in 2021, “nothing has happened since my motion to slow down traffic”. He referenced Caherconlish as an example to follow, “it is a regional road, as you approach it there is a severe ramp and if you hit it you won’t forget it, there’s nobody speeding in Caherconlish. Clare County Council seem to have a policy not to install speed ramps on regional roads, people don’t like them but they do slow you down”.
Feedback signs will not prevent drivers from speeding, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) maintained but he acknowledged that the raised table between Scariff and Tuamgraney has improved matters. “I would love to see the footpath finished from the bottom of Raheen into Tuamgraney Castle, I am hoping that will happen in 2023”. He suggested discussing the matter with An Garda Síochána, a view that was endorsed by Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF).
“That is the heavy hand which might not be the one for long term,” Cllr Hayes responded. “I don’t like Limerick City in terms of traffic calming, they are not aesthetic or nice, it is an important issue and we need a plan to put more of the traffic tables that actually slow people down,” he added. The Maghera native shared his concern with referring all projects and issues to the road design section of the Council, “they are backed up with so many projects”.
Narrowing the carriageway of a road is one of the first methods to slow traffic down thus the focus on footpaths, the engineer told the meeting.
