Ballinascarthy locals fearful of new speed limit

RESIDENTS in Ballinascarthy held a public meeting last week to protest about speed limit changes they say are putting lives in danger.

Cllr John O’Sullivan (FG) said the decision by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to shorten the speed limit on the approach to Ballinascarthy is causing ‘mayhem.’ Cllr O’Sullivan explained that the 60kph speed limit had originally been set back about 300m from the start of the village. But since the TII review, the 60kph zone now starts at the shop and petrol station, which is right in the middle of the village.

Raising the issue at a Western Committee meeting, he said the knock-on effect of this is that traffic can no longer safely negotiate the junction, particularly the turn off for Shannonvale, because motorists in both directions are travelling way too fast.

The location of the town hall on the junction, as well as the number of tourists stopping to see the Henry Ford Model T, means it is a particularly busy junction, with lots of pedestrian traffic.

The GAA pitch is also outside the new 60kph zone. However, local area engineer Michael Tobin said the changes by TII were made in according with a consultant’s report on setting and managing speed limits in Ireland.

He said it would be five years before there would be another review. The director of services for roads is to meet with local community representatives.