Speeding drivers near schools should be brought to book

STUDENTS at two West Cork schools are taking their lives in their hands because of speeding motorists.

The claim was made at a Municipal District meeting by the county mayor, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan, who called for urgent traffic calming measures on the R599 on both sides of Kilmeen National School.

Meanwhile, Cllr Karen Coakley (FG) said something will have to be done to reduce the speed of traffic near the school at Drinagh.

She said parents are very concerned for their children’s safety going to and from the school, and, at the very least, signs and speed ramps should be installed to prevent an accident from happening.

The Council’s senior executive engineer for road operations, John Ahern, pointed out that there is a 50kph speed limit in place on the R599 through the village including the approach road to and past the school.

He suggested: ‘It is a matter for An Garda Siochana to enforce the speed limit.’ He also pointed out that there are a number of driver feedback signs, in addition to road markings, already in place for traffic in both directions in the vicinity of the school.

Mr Ahern did concede that there is a problem with northbound traffic trying to negotiate a tight bend at the junction leading to Rossmore, which had the effect of slowing down the traffic.

The engineer pointed out that there is also a 50kph limit in operation in Drinagh Village. However, he acknowledged that the road width through Drinagh is wide and that might lead to drivers exceeding the limit through the village.

He said there are a number of measures that can be implemented, such as reducing lane carriageway widths, and hatching with lines.

He said the Council will liaise with the regional and local road design office and hopefully have ‘a co-ordinated design in place early next year.’