FINE Gael councillor Sarah Kiely called for Limerick Council to install tabletop ramps at the pedestrian crossing in Drombanna as well as speed being reduced to 50 kilometres per hour.
Speaking at the April monthly Metropolitan District meeting, Cllr Kiely pointed out that the village, on the outskirts of Limerick City East, has benefitted from a number of active travel interventions in recent years. However, she claimed that despite these works, Drombanna has a huge issue with speeding.
“It is 60km/h and it should be 50km/h,” Cllr Kiely declared.
“I brought this motion forward as I’m beating my head again off a brick wall. Like many councillors in this chamber, I keep asking the same questions but not getting any answers. Last year I asked about a speed review but recently someone was told there will be no speed reduction,” she added.
The Fine Gael woman hit out that councillors in the district were not informed of this before calling for a speed reduction to take place in an effort to reduce speed. She said she wanted to see tabletop ramps in Drombanna, similar to those already used in other areas of County Limerick including Hospital and Caherconlish.
“I’m all for compromise, so whatever we can do, would be great,” she said.
Independent councillor Elena Secas seconded the motion and told the Council executive that councillors are years asking for these measures to be put in place. The answer, she insisted, is always the same.
“It can’t be done because it’s a national road. But we have tabletop speed ramps in County Limerick. There’s lots of them in County Cork, so I don’t understand why they are suitable for certain roads and not suitable for other roads,” Cllr Secas commented.
In response, the Council said that the speed limit is currently being reviewed throughout the county and the process can take up to 12 months.
“This proposal has been forwarded to the Roads Central Services team for inclusion in this speed limit review.
“Note that R512 is a Strategic Regional Road and therefore it’s unlikely that a flat-top ramp will be possible. The proposal will require compliance with the Limerick City and County Council Traffic Calming Policy 2024 and its provision will be investigated against the policy,” the Council stated.