RECENT improvements to the road surface leading to Miltown Malbay is leading to more speeding in the locality, a senior engineer has flagged.
An appeal for the erection of school awareness signage for children crossing the five cross roads at the junction for Annagh, Miltown Malbay, Quilty, Mullagh and Spanish Point directions was tabled by Cllr Michael Shannon (FF).
Senior executive engineer in the West Clare Municipal District, Alan Kennelly in response to the motion stated, “The default speed limit on all local roads was recently reduced from 80 kmh-1 to 60 kmh-1, which should help with reduce driver speed in the area”.
He advised that drivers are going faster in Miltown Malbay following recent works. “The recent watermain replacement works on the L-2092 (leading to Miltown Malbay) led to the road being (in effect) widened and resurfaced, so cars may be inclined to pick up a little too much speed on the road. I will ask our roads technician to review existing signage in the area and erect additional warning signage for the Crosses of Annagh junction if necessary and appropriate”.
Speaking at a meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Shannon commented, “this is just down the road from me, we have our roads programme and how effective it is at the moment, it is about improving the quality of road in all directions and erecting signage to slow down cars. They have a safe route to school, you’ve to cross the thoroughfare, it is about making drivers aware and slow down cars for children crossing the road, some families are blessed with a lot of children, they’re afraid that one could go ahead and then another and then cross the road when cars are coming”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) said, “one area where we’d hope to get the funding is to keep schools safe as possible. We are highlighting where the issues are, this is a product of the new surface which means people go faster”.
John O’Malley, senior executive officer in the West Clare MD acknowledged, “I am very aware of the area and the turn by the Mullagh side, it is a very dangerous turn”. He confirmed the Council would assess the existing signage.
