THE Clareabbey Roundabout is “a death trap” for cyclists and pedestrians and the notorious blackspot must be made safe as soon as possible before lives are lost, a Clare TD has said.
Deputy Joe Carey spoke out after Clare County Council confirmed it is currently finalising a “feasibility and options report” for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the roundabout.
The local Fine Gael TD has written to the local authority and TII for a progress update in which he outlined the serious danger the roundabout currently poses to cyclists and pedestrians.
Deputy Carey said, “The extremely dangerous situation we have at Clareabbey Roundabout has dragged on for years and it’s vital that this death trap for pedestrians and cyclists is finally made safe as soon as possible before more accidents occur.
“Transport Infrastructure Ireland are awaiting a feasibility report from Clare County Council and I look forward to the local authority making their submission in due course so that we can have some sort of timeframe for remedial works to commence.”
Deputy Carey added he will make further representations on the matter to the Department of Transport and TII as soon as council’s feasibility report is submitted.
TII has already reviewed three draft proposals to make Clareabbey Roundabout safer. All of these include a proposed off-road route around the west side of the roundabout with a 3m wide cycle path/footpath.
Some of the other safety measures in the proposals include reducing the circulating carriageway to 7.5m, improving access to the nearby Maxol Service Station, entry and exit ramps to connect the road to off road foot paths, vegetation removal, bollards, high friction surfacing plus all associated new warning signage and road markings.