
LIMERICK City and County Council has been asked to provide a proper pedestrian crossing outside Caherdavin church on Blackthorn Drive.
Fianna Fรกil TD Willie OโDea joined forces with local community activist Pat OโNeill to highlight the need for the crossing at a recent site meeting with council officials.
โMany residents of Caherdavin, particularly those that attend Christ the King Church and parents of children attending the neighbouring primary school have said to me that crossing Blackthorn Drive can be a nightmare. During the school year in particular, there are hundreds of people using this crossing every day,โ Deputy OโDea explained..
โWhether itโs a set of traffic lights, a zebra crossing with flashing amber lights or a flashing speed limit indicator, something needs to go in at this location to improve this crossing and make it safer for pedestrians before there is a serious accident.โ
A council spokeswoman confirmed that a site meeting took place with both Willie OโDea and Pat OโNeill about the need for the pedestrian crossing.
โThis site was assessed two years ago and it didnโt meet a warrant for a controlled crossing in a previous survey.ย In the absence of not meeting the warrant, the council provided for traffic calming measures at the site. Two adult school wardens are also provided at the school during school hours.
โIn relation to a future site assessment, both Willie OโDea and Pat OโNeill were advised that this will take place when school is back โ it doesnโt make sense to do this beforehand.ย The Council has also committed to speed and crossing surveys at the location. Anything new would have to be provided in consultation with the Gardaรญ,โ she concluded.