Traffic-calming scheme for West Cork village moves step closer

Cork County Council members are seeking ramps or speed cushions to slow traffic on Drimoleague's main road

The commitment follows support for a 30km/h village speed limit. File picture

A traffic-calming scheme for Drimoleague has moved a step closer after Cork County Council agreed to begin the design and approval process in response to concerns about speeding and road safety.

Councillors are seeking measures such as ramps or speed cushions to complement a planned 30km/h speed limit in the village.

The council’s director of services for roads and transport, Pádraig Barrett, said surveys and the necessary approval process could be progressed while funding was being sought. 

However, he stopped short of promising that works would be funded next year.

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington raised the issue at the council’s Western Division committee, saying residents had contacted councillors about near misses. 

He asked whether Drimoleague could be considered for speed ramps or cushions similar to those installed in Macroom. 

Mr Harrington said action was needed before a fatal collision occurred.

Fianna Fáil councillor George Gill pressed officials on what could be done before the committee meets again.

He asked whether surveys could establish the most suitable measures while the council waited for funding.

Mr Barrett said Drimoleague could be considered under the low-cost safety programme, for which the council had received approximately €1.6m this year. 

He said the village was not, to his knowledge, on the list already submitted for next year’s programme, and officials would have to examine whether a scheme could be substituted.

Mr Barrett said the council faced competing demands from numerous towns, villages, and junctions. The immediate task was to prepare the project through surveys and the relevant statutory process so it would be ready to proceed when funding became available.

“I’m not saying it’ll be funded next year,” he said, but when asked whether work would be ready for the next meeting, Mr Barrett clarified: “I’m committing that we’ll commence the process.” 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme