CONCERNS have been raised about increasing traffic volumes and safety issues in the Lower Park area of Limerick City, which local residents say is being used as a “rat run” by motorists travelling between Park Road and Grove Island.
Speaking at the Metropolitan District meeting for the month of March, Labour Party councillor Padraigh Reale called on Limerick Council to conduct a speed survey with a view to installing additional traffic calming measures in the Corbally estate.
Cllr Reale said that residents in Lower Park have repeatedly raised concerns about traffic and road safety in the area, particularly during the Section 38 consultation process for the now-abandoned proposal to alter the Old Park Road.
“However, locals say that no action has been taken since, despite the issues being highlighted in numerous submissions,” Cllr Reale told Council management.
“Residents in Lower Park are at the end of their tether with the current situation and action is needed now.”
Following recent engagement with residents, Cllr Reale visited the area alongside Labour TD Conor Sheehan to assess the road conditions and traffic issues first-hand.
During the visit, a number of concerns were highlighted, including the age and effectiveness of the existing traffic calming infrastructure.
“The speed ramps currently in place are more than 20 years old and residents report persistent speeding along the road, particularly near the rail crossing, which is described as a particularly hazardous stretch even under normal conditions,” Cllr Reale said.
“Further confusion exists around the speed limit in the area, with it unclear whether the limit is 30 km/h or 50 km/h,” he insisted.
While the Council has committed to implementing 30 km/h speed limit zones in residential and school areas across Corbally, residents claim this has not yet been implemented in Lower Park.
“In addition, no solar-powered driver feedback signs have been installed in the area. It is now being called for that, at a minimum, the Council should carry out a traffic survey in Lower Park to assess traffic volumes, speeds and patterns,” Cllr Reale said.
“This survey should also include a pedestrian safety audit, particularly given that there are sections of the area where no footpaths currently exist.”
The Labour councillor said that “Lower Park is not simply a through-road, it is a residential community”.
“Residents deserve to feel safe in their own neighbourhood.”
In response, the Council said that a meeting can be arranged to examine the section of Lower Park referred to and a speed survey can be conducted.