‘Somebody's going to get killed’

PROTEST Locals call for designated park and ride facility at Whitegate

A group of around 40 protestors braved vicious weather conditions last Friday as they demonstrated outside Whitegate Fuels, voicing safety concerns about the nearby junction on the N3 and calling for a designated park and ride facility.

The group stood together behind safety bollards outside the shop; while cars, lorries and buses whizzed past them on the main road, which is governed by a 100km/h speed limit.

The protest was organised by Independent councillor Shane P O’Reilly who explained his motivation: “For the last 10 years, we have seen nothing but more and more trouble here. It’s to highlight what’s going on here. To be honest with you, we’ve seen three or four near ones [accidents] already this evening.”

The area in question is located at Whitegate on the Cavan side of the Cavan/Meath border on the N3. It features a staggered junction and two bus stops, one in each direction.

Early each weekday morning, a makeshift carpark, located at the bus stop in the Dublin direction completely fills with cars, while the overflow of traffic parks on the hard shoulder each side of the stop, as well as around the corner on to the Mullagh Road.

The protestors say the vehicles can block a motorist’s line of sight when attempting to pull out onto the busy N3 from the Mullagh Road.

They are also worried about the safety of commuters and students who disembark buses and must cross the busy road to return to their vehicles.

Buses often cannot stop in the bus stop due to parked cars, which means they sometimes are forced to stop in the middle of the road to allow passengers on and off, creating further dangers.

As Cllr O’Reilly spoke, the Celt observed a white van turning onto the N3 from the Mullagh road, driving on the hard shoulder before darting out when a small gap appeared in the traffic.

The chairman of Maghera Community Development, Jim Denning insisted: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. There are minor accidents on a regular basis but we’re lucky that nobody has been killed.

“At the same time, we have nowhere for the people who are going to work to park their cars. They’re using this area up here as a parking place because they’ve nothing else,” he says.

“It’s restricting the traffic, it’s not their fault, and it’s making the junction even blinder. Somebody’s going to get killed.”

Mr Denning is calling on Cavan County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to co-operate to install safety measures at the cross.

“We’re a long time asking for this and there’s money being spent on what I’m sure is needed but this is definitely somewhere where money is needed badly.”

Local man John Monaghan was among the protestors: “It’s too dangerous going out on the road. Traffic can’t get out on the road, you can’t see down the road for any traffic passing because of the shop.

“It’s very dangerous, you could be sitting there all week trying to get out on that road and then, when you do go out, you’ll be taking a chance but it’s the only way you’d get out.”

Nicholas and Michael Clarke also agreed that driving onto the main road is a dangerous task.

They believe this, combined with those attempting to cross the road by foot to their parked cars, make the area extremely dangerous.

Dan Cahill and Sarah Hodges both commute to work each day, arriving at the bus stop at around 5am.

“It’s a 100km road here. The cars are parked here around the corner,” says Dan, pointing out the vehicles parked on the hard shoulder.

“Even if the bus tried to pull over, it has a hard time because of all the cars parked on the hard shoulder, so the bus is nearly stopping on the main road,” he says.

Cllr O’Reilly thanked everyone who supported the protest including Garda Connor Dillon from Mullagh Garda Station who helped direct traffic; ATB Signs and Print for creating the signage and each of the protestors for their attendance.

“Almost 50 people turned out here and it’s the dirtiest, bitterest, coldest evening that has come this year so far and it’s testament to what the people think [about this issue].”

Concluding, the councillor added: “This is the first of many protests, which will take place unless we get answers from the NTA and the TII.”

Statement from TII

Transport Infrastructure Ireland issued a statement to the Celt following last week’s demonstration.

It said that TII is working with Cavan County Council addressing the safety concerns associated with the Whitegate location.

“Cavan County Council are currently investigating the provision of a Park and Share facility that will provide a safe parking location. Cavan County Council have commenced work on a feasibility and options report for the Park and Share facility.

“Additionally, there is work currently underway to improve the safety of bus stops on the N3,” read the statement provided to this newspaper.