SOME motorists are ignoring a pedestrian crossing on Bridge Street in Skibbereen prompting fears that it could lead to a pedestrian fatality.
Staff from The Southern Star have reported numerous incidents of cars driving straight through the crossing as pedestrians were about to cross the road. And it’s been happening regularly since it was installed five years ago.
Cllr Brendan McCarthy (FG) said this zebra crossing, which is close to the corner, is not safe for pedestrians and said it needs to be moved further up Bridge Street.
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Installed in 2021, the crossing has been problematic from the outset due to its location just after a corner coming from Ilen Street and Bridge Street, despite road signs warning of a crossing.
Cllr McCarthy said it should never have been located at that spot, directly in front of The Corner Bar and the Camier’s Daybreak shop.
‘What is happening is that motorists travelling from Ilen Street are coming around the corner and not stopping at it,’ he said. ‘They also cannot see people at the stop and that’s a flaw in itself.’
Cllr McCarthy acknowledged that for motorists coming from Ilen Street it can be difficult to see people crossing.
He added that people should feel confident and safe when at a pedestrian crossing but he is hearing of numerous incidents where cars fail to stop as pedestrians attempt to cross the street.
‘It should be moved further east along the street and away from that corner. I’ve had numerous complaints from people about this crossing in particular but I was told that people wanted it at that specific location.’
A Cork County Council spokesperson said the pedestrian crossing on Bridge Street was one of two installed in 2021, funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
‘Prior to the installations both crossings were subjected to a full Section 38 process including public consultation. No issues arose from that process.
‘Both crossings are installed to regulatory standards with line marking and beacons. In addition, a pedestrian crossing warning sign is installed on Ilen Street, in advance of the crossing in compliance with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.’
