Lack of funds rules out Kilrush roundabout

THE likelihood of building a roundabout at a notorious Kilrush junction has been ruled out by Clare County Council, who stated the National Roads Authority does not have the money to fund the project.
The safety of the junction, where six roads converge on the Ennis Road, was questioned at last week’s September meeting of Kilrush Town Council.
The roads include O’Dea’s Road, Vandeleur Street, Glen Street, Limekiln Road and the Ennis Road (N68). The sixth road is one that leads onto Vandeleur Street, although drivers are not allowed to turn right onto the Ennis Road.
Motions pertaining to the junction were made jointly by Councillors Tom Prendeville and Paul Moroney and received full support from all town councillors present.
“It’s going to take a fatality before something happens,” Councillor Moroney forecast, while Councillor Prendeville described the junction as a “death trap”.
“Recently, there has been a number of road traffic collisions at this junction,” Councillor Moroney added, while Councillor Prendeville said, “This location has become a very busy road and the NRA has been dragging its heels on this matter for too long”.
Drivers emerging from Glen Street, the ‘Cut Hill’ or O’Dea’s Road often find it very difficult to navigate safely onto the N68, especially if traffic is busy.
Councillor Liam O’Looney told the meeting that it had taken him 12 minutes recently to get through the junction.
Councillor Marian McMahon Jones said a design was submitted during the term of a previous council and there is no need to send a second one.
In a written reply, Cyril Feeney, senior executive engineer, Clare County Council said the scheme was forwarded to the council’s design office, on foot of previous motions.
“The scheme is one of many awaiting detailed design by the current limited resources of the design office,” Mr Feeney explained.
“The funding required for the scheme will be provided by the National Roads Authority. It is our understanding that following discussions with the NRA, the scheme will not be funded in 2012. Therefore, detailed design work and proposed land acquisition will not be advanced at this stage as funding has not been secured,” Mr Feeney stated.
Other options suggested at the meeting were either traffic lights or a one-way system.
“I want to get something done there as much as anyone,” town engineer Derek Troy told the meeting, before suggesting road work traffic lights could be used as a short-term measure.