A RISING AMOUNT of “near misses” at the “confusing” East End car park in Kilkee has led to a local representative pleading for the area to be made safer.

In a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) asked that the layout of the East End car park in Kilkee be reassessed “with a mind to making it safer for pedestrians”.

Conducting a review of the car park’s operations “might benefit” the safety of all users, senior executive engineer Alan Kennelly acknowledged. “It is an especially busy car park in Summer and is used by both pedestrians and drivers to access the beach,” he noted.

Kennelly suggested that both the West Clare MD and the road design office complete an assessment of the car park. “I imagine that some additional signage and line marking will be required to enhance pedestrian safety. We can mark these requirements on a drawing and perhaps then include this drawing in our Kilkee traffic bye-laws review. A funding source will be required to fund any works arising from the assessment,” he stated.

Following the closure of Murphy Blacks restaurant in January 2020, Cllr Murphy said his departure from the restaurant business has resulted in more time for leisure activities in Kilkee during the summer such as swimming and snorkelling. This has opened his eyes in more ways than one, “I witnessed some very near misses, there were kids running out in front of what is a confusing space, it is very tight with two rows of car parking and a two-way system. I saw a number of incidents where I thought a child would be sent to hospital or worse”.

Murphy continued, “The solutions don’t necessarily have to be very expensive, maybe sitting down and watching what happens, maybe removing a space or two to allow pedestrians to permeate through”.

“I think this could be very simply done with traffic and road paint,” he added. The motion was seconded by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND).