*Signs have been drawn by children living in Ballybeg appealing to motorists to slow down.
ELECTED representatives are to consider making an application to have a speed van located in Ballybeg to tackle ongoing speeding in the locality.
Representations “regarding excessive speeding” in Ballybeg have been made continuously to Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), most notably along the stretch from the entrance to Ballybeg Woods to the Water Tower and on the straight stretch to Ballybeg Rd.
He called for the addition of traffic calming measures and for An Garda Síochána to be alerted to the matter.
Recently installed footpaths at the upper end of Ballybeg “were expected to result in reduced vehicular speeds due to the narrowing of the carriageway. We also note that the posted speed limit on this road is 50kph,” acting senior executive engineer in the Ennis Municipal District, Paddy Tiernan stated.
Tiernan confirmed a speed survey would be completed, the results of which “will determine our next course of action. We also wish to advise that a Section 38 was recently submitted for the lower end of Ballybeg Road and we expect this process will conclude shortly following additional non statutory consultation with nearby residents. This scheme involves traffic calming measures on the approach to Ballybeg Bridge and will result in a speed reduction of vehicular traffic on this section of Ballybeg Road. Ennis MD will also forward this Notice of Motion to An Garda Síochána and request a response”.
Speaking at a sitting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Murphy admitted, “I wasn’t expecting that speed would still be an issue after the upgrade of the footpaths. When I drove along it recently, I was shocked to see one car overtaking another at a fairly considerable speed which is frightening because it is a built up area from the Kilrush Rd to the Kildysart Rd”.
Murphy maintained, “I do think a Garda presence if it could be put on the road no more than any other road, a Garda presence is the best way of getting the speed down”.
Seconding the request, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) stated, “I know the area very well, I walk it regularly, the speed is quite shocking especially that there’s many hills. It is quite obvious that we’re constantly talking about speed and traffic calming. We can put in signage and traffic calming but the only way to slow people down is new technology, if we had vehicle recognition on number plates and they got three penalty points it would reduce the speed”.
Upgrades in Ballybeg have been “fantastic,” Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) acknowledged. He said the situation is similar in Droichead na Gabhair in that “people run it and walk it”. He said, “I’ve watched my speed using the road, the hill gives you the opportunity to speed up accidentally but you have to keep an eye on your brakes”.
According to Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “Ballybeg has a tradition of fast cars for many years”. He suggested the installation of a pedestrian bridge. “It is important to have a two way system in the future”.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented, “It’s where I live, I want to fully support. It is unfortunate that after all the improvements which we thought would calm the traffic down but I’ve witnessed the speeding. I know we will do our best to alleviate the speeding”.
Addressing the meeting, the senior engineer said he has contacted An Garda Síochána on the issue. “You have to apply for a speed van effectively. We’ve to do a speed survey to see if it is warranted, we’ve a speed survey from 2020 which is before my time and the footpaths,” he explained. Tiernan added, “I’m pretty confident that An Garda Síochána once we get through the hoops that we can get a speed van there, it is not the long-term solution but something else will have to be looked at to slow the traffic down”.
“If there is a procedure there then that is the procedure, it is incumbent on us all. It is a built-up area so the van might make a difference,” Cllr Murphy responded.
