Pedestrians are risking their lives at crossing

CHILDREN crossing the N71 road at Convent Hill in Clonakilty are taking their lives in their hands, according to a West Cork councillor.

During a discussion of the Speed Limit Review, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan asked for a sign – warning motorists to slow down – to be erected at the top of the hill, which leads to the roundabout at Faxbridge.

He said: ‘We need something to get the attention of drivers because they are zooming down the hill into Clonakilty.’ He said he, and the parents of the children attending the school, would like to see the speed limit reduced to 30kph.

‘Parents are very concerned,’ he added. ‘There are no traffic calming measures in that area. Nothing has been done despite the fact that the issue came up at the last speed limit review.’

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) also called for the speed limit at The Causeway in Rosscarbery to be extended. At present, he said motorists are entitled to drive at 100kph along the causeway, despite the fact that it is a popular walking route. 

He said: ‘I think that speed limit sign should be moved further out, possibly to the end of the hill at the other side of the causeway.’

Cllr O’Sullivan agreed saying that by moving it away from the causeway it would also facilitate traffic exiting from the junction leading to the Warren Strand.’

Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG) continued to pursue in her ‘mission’ to provide a safe pedestrian access outside Bantry Sailing Club to facilitate the hundreds of people – especially young people – who use the facility on a regular basis.

Cllr O’Sullivan also requested that the route between Clonakilty town and Inchydoney be designated a ‘Green Road’ to facilitate people who walk and cycle in the area, but an area engineer said some of the conditions, such as a 20km speed limit, might not be feasible.

But Cllr O’Sullivan was of the opinion that ‘there is a solution, only to find it’. He proposed making part of it one-way. The area engineer agreed to have a more detailed look at the councillor’s proposal.

Meanwhile, the speed limit review will now go to public consultation. It will not, however, be finalised until June 2017.