Traffic calming measures for congested Cork villages to be prioritised

Pedestrian safety is a priority in three heavily vehicular-congested villages, in major industrial hubs, close to Cork City.

Cork County councillors secured commitments from officials to have traffic calming measures put in place in Glounthaune, Glanmire, and Little Island.

Elected representatives highlighted locals’ fears over safety. Council engineers told members of the Cobh/Glanmire Municipal District comitttee they would be drawing up plans for new safety measures close to the church in Glounthaune, on the old Cork-Midleton road.

The measures will ensure pedestrians can safely access a bus stop, pub/restaurant, and a playground.

Three traffic islands are to be built in Glounthaune, one of which will act as the pedestrian crossing and additional lighting and warning signs will be put in place. Engineers said project designs would go to public consultation shortly.

A pedestrian crossing is to be built at a busy junction at Sallybrook, Glanmire, which will serve a number of estates in the Barrymore area, along with some additional traffic calming welcomed by local Independent councillor Ger Keohane and Fianna Fáil’s Padraig O’Sullivan.

Ger Keohane

They had warned it was an area which featured high traffic volumes.

Indications point to works getting under way within the next few months.

Mr O’Sullivan also asked engineers to install yellow boxes outside the Fairways /Castlewood Estates in Little Island to alleviate traffic congestion.

He said residents there were finding it extremely difficult to access and exit their homes at peak times because of the volume of people driving to work in a huge industrial area.

Mr O’Sullivan also asked engineers to meet with residents from nearby Dunkettle to discuss issues they had with road safety.

Meanwhile, Transport Initiative Ireland (TII) was criticised for its failure to respond to calls to carry out works on the N25 Cork-Midleton road to prevent flooding to properties in Carrigtwohill.

Fine Gael councillor Anthony Barry said properties were flooded at Ballyadam, close to Fota Rock, during a recent deluge. He said drainage on the road in that area was inadequate.

“It’s not only a danger to road users but to adjoining properties, flooding a number of driveways and gardens,” he said.

He said flooding occurred in the area at least three times in recent months. He wrote to TII on the subject six months ago but got little satisfaction. “Statutory bodies are just not listening to us,” he claimed.