A CRACKED paving stone which has surfaced in pedestrianised streets poses a serious safety threat, it has been claimed.
The Limerick Post has been alerted to recurring falls on Little Catherine Street, Thomas Street and sections of Clancy Strand.
Traders in Little Catherine Street reported falls by pedestrians.
One shopper said there was no rain water on the street surface when she slipped.
It has been alleged that the paving stone on the street was imported from France and retains moisture long after rainfall has ceased.
“It’s lethal – a film of moisture, which is almost invisible, gathers in patches here and there and to the passer-by, the surface appears dry, but many have come a cropper,” one trader said.
A young woman walked through the street daily, until she took a fall before Christmas.
“The incident was reported to City Hall. The official took details, but nothing has been heard since”.
This reporter was shown cracked and dangerous paving.
“They have been there for ages and nothing’s being done about repairing them, but a woman’s heel could catch and she’d get a good fall,” commented another.
While the appearance and colour of the paving is visually very attractive, they pose a risk to safety.
“Funnily enough, there is no threat to anyone slipping when it’s raining – I myself took a bad fall and it happened when the sky was clear,” said a trader.
City Council senior engineer, Vincent Murray, confirmed they have received “one or two complaints”.
While there had been initial discussion at council meetings on the suitability of the paving, the comment centred mainly on the difficulty of cleaning the stone.
According to the traders, however, the stone used is not appropriate to the Irish climate.
While controversy over the suitability of the stone in the first phase continues, it has been recommended a full report be furnished before the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street commences, and new surfaces are installed in William Street.
Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon told the Limerick Post he was informed by Roadstone they were unsuccessful in tendering for supply.
“They found it difficult to understand why we were importing stone, but I was told by City Hall that it is the consultants who specify the materials to be used – the contractors tender for the work”.
Back to Mr Murray: “We are having our design team carry out tests on the French limestone. It is used all over Europe – they will be back to us soon but if there is a problem it will be sorted out”.
Paving, he added, was not purchased by council.
“Under EU law we can’t specify a supply company – the contractors who tender for the entire project buy it from those who offer the lowest price”.
