‘Please Slow Down' plea from Belgooly residents in video

PLEASE slow down. That’s the message from residents of Belgooly, outside Kinsale who are so annoyed with the speed of traffic through their village that they have made a three-minute video.

The video, made by producer Donal O’Dwyer, involves interviews with locals about their experiences trying to navigate their village as traffic whizzes past.

It points out this is the last village that visitors to the Wild Atlantic Way will meet before beginning their journey and, as a result, the traffic is increasing year-on-year.

The village is located just three miles from Kinsale, and has a little over 500 inhabitants who have formed an action group – Belgooly Residents Association Network (Bran) – to address the situation.

Having lobbied the County Council and the elected members of the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal Area, a subsequent speed test revealed that 64% of all motorists passing through the village were ignoring the 50km limit.

The figures recorded by the local authority were corroborated by an independent test, and following further discussion, the County Council agreed to erect two driver-speed activated signs in the village.

But the residents had to secure €3,400. With the money now secured – through a number of fundraising activities, including a bingo evening and a local business directory as well as a very generous donation from Kinsale Lions Club – it’s hoped the latest traffic calming measures will be erected without delay.

However, Bran is also conscious of the necessity to educate drivers on speed and behaviour, and the video is part of this campaign.

Bran PRO JJ Hurley said: ‘As a vibrant community, we are simply asking for motorists to be respectful as they pass through our little village, and more importantly, not to put the lives of its inhabitants at risk by ignoring the 50km speed limit.’