Traffic halted in protest over ‘dangerous’ road

ANGRY residents stopped traffic on the outskirts of Limerick yesterday to protest at the condition of a road they say is very dangerous.

More than 50 local people from Clonlara, Westbury and Ardnacrusha were joined by local politicians at the protest held at Griffin’s Cross in east Clare.

They are demanding immediate action by Clare County Council to properly repair one side of the road after a water main was laid.

Local butcher Adam Craughan said: “I nearly had a bad accident on Friday night last. I hit a hole in the road and it damaged two wheels and I got a blow out. It would have been serious but for the fact I was only going at about 30mph. It will cost €1,500 as I will probably have to buy a full set of four wheels for my BMW and two new tyres.”

The accident occurred at Griffin’s Cross.

Residents claim that the road poses dangers to pedestrians as well.

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan said: “On the left hand side as you go out from the city, people have to walk out onto the road because of the state of the repairs where the piles were laid.

“There is not a footpath all the way out.”

Another resident said that the tarmacadam placed on top of the route of the water pipe has sunk in many places and was of very poor quality.

Ms O’Sullivan said: “Clare County Council have said they have to put it out to tender to reinstate the roadway and that is the cause of the delay. But this work must be treated as a matter of urgency given the number of people who use this very busy road every day. It is in a dangerous condition.”