Road safety issues highlighted

Road safety issues in several towns and villages from Cavan and further west were highlighted at a recent meeting of Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District in Blacklion.

Chair Patricia Walsh asked the executive members present if more could be done to introduce road safety measures in the Swellan area, saying the “high volume” of traffic in the area was of concern to families.

She said there are footpaths “but not all the way”.

She further raised issues with lighting in the Station Lane estate. It was something local engineer Paul Mulligan was “aware of”, and council staff are working to access funding via the Active Travel Scheme.

“Coming into these dark evenings you can understand people's concerns,” said the Fianna Fáil representative.

In Ballyconnell, Cllr Áine Smith (FF) raised the need for more pedestrian crossings.

She shared the speaking time with Independent Brendan Fay who also looked to discuss a crosswalk outside the Central School in the town.

It had been brought to both their attentions the need for such safety measures.

There was a need for another crossing point north of the Market House

“Older people are finding it difficult to cross the road,” said Cllr Smith, who said, with regard to the Central School, that it was the approach from Bawnboy that proved hazardous for those looking to cross.

Similarly, Cllr Smith flagged the need for safety measures at Aughersakilla on the outskirts of Ballyconnell on the Killeshandra Road, where she said “houses shake” with the speed of passing traffic.

Her party colleague John Paul Feeley remarked that a lot of the houses out that direction had been built by the council in the past and, despite signage put up in the area, “people don't seem to pay much attention”.

Cllr Fay meanwhile stated it was imperative that a solution is found in Ballyconnell town centre on “health and safety” grounds.

He also highlighted concerns over speed controls in the town of Killeshandra from the garda station to the local school.

“Something has to be done,” he said.

The motions were supported by fellow elected members.

Paramount to any potential fix, said Senior Area Engineer Paul Mulligan, is that it is “safe”.

He remarked that vehicles had enough of a view of persons crossing heading west, but accepted there was an issue for those travelling the opposite direction.

Yet again, however, as he stated in respect of a separate motion looking to discuss road safety measures, much of it boils down to “driver behaviour”.

He acknowledged that there is no footpath on the church side of the road, but pointed out there is one on the other side, which leads down to a pedestrian crossing point.

“Whatever we come up with, it has to be safe and it has to make sense,” said Mr Mulligan.