‘Two deaths’ to get Kilkee roundabout

TWO people may have to be killed at one of Kilkee’s busiest junctions before a roundabout is installed at a cost of €200,000, it was suggested at a meeting of the local council this week.

 

Five roads feed the junction at Minister Place in Kilkee and confusion often reigns as to which motorist has the right of way. It was noted at the meeting that the issue has been a concern in Kilkee since 1971.

“Unfortunately, it probably is going to take somebody being killed and maybe one person won’t be enough,” Councillor Lily Marrinan Sullivan predicted.

Councillor Paddy Collins forwarded the motion asking that Clare County Council, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority (NRA) install a roundabout at the location.

“The worst thing is, we’re waiting for a tragedy before something is done,” he said.
Councillor Marrinan Sullivan queried why roundabouts were installed in Kilrush and near the railway station in Ennis, while Minister Place remains roundabout free.

“How many people were killed at the roundabout in Kilrush before that roundabout went in? Were there people killed in Ennis around the railway station before they got a roundabout? Does that rule just apply to Kilkee? I never remember that area in Kilrush, where they have a roundabout, being considered any kind of a black spot for accidents. Things have to be prioritised but this has been requested in Kilkee since 1971 or 1972. This is a long time coming,” she noted.

Kilkee town manager, Anne Haugh said the NRA consults accident statistics when deciding whether or not to install roundabouts.

“That’s unfortunately the answer we’re getting from the NRA. They look at their statistics,” she explained.

Town clerk John Corry said, “Because this junction is located within the speed limit and because accidents haven’t been reported at this particular location, it’s not high on their [NRA] list of priorities from a funding point of view.

“I spoke with the senior executive engineer for the Kilrush area and he did indicate that something could be done in the interim. The road markings could be re-done, pending a decision being made by the NRA,” he added.

However, Mayor of Kilkee Claire Haugh doesn’t agree with this plan of action. “That’s a waste of good paint, a waste of manpower and a waste of money. The roundabout has to be constructed. That’s the only way forward. Waiting for somebody to get injured is a joke. We’re hearing the same thing down through the years, ‘Nobody has got injured or nobody has got killed’. People converge on that area but they have no idea where they are going. Who’s going to move, who’s going to stay, will you go, will I go?” the town mayor stated.

“I think the NRA are faceless people. If they were around here during the months of July and August and they visited that area, they would know then how important it is to have a roundabout there,” Councillor Haugh added.

“Where does health and safety come into this even if somebody hasn’t been killed there? This country is coming down with health and safety regulations and yet you can have this ongoing situation,” Councillor Marrinan Sullivan pointed out.

Councillor Collins said there was “chaos” at the junction last summer and that sight distance is poor on the approach to the junction from Grattan Street.

Town engineer Derek Troy said a mini-roundabout, suggested by Councillor Collins, is not the answer.

“It won’t comply with any of the regulations, for example that a lorry will be able to get around the roundabout and that all sight distances are complied with. The proper solution is a full proper roundabout. Anything else won’t comply with all the regulations,” he explained.
Councillor Collins reiterated the urgency of not waiting for a fatal accident at the junction.

“The last thing we want to do is wait for an accident to happen. It could be any one of our families around the table. I’d hate to be approached by somebody down the street next week,” he said, referring to the possibility of a tragic accident befalling a local family at the location.

“What am I going to say?” he asked.