CHILDREN and elderly people who cross the Childers Road to St. Brigid’s NS and the shopping centre are putting their lives at risk, say residents.
Parents are now threatening to take their children from school
It is alleged that motorists drive through red lights.
It is claimed a number of children have already been knocked down at the junction, despite using the pedestrian crossing.
The Limerick Post witnessed three vehicles running the red light, turning both left and right from the Bloodmill Road on to the Childers Road in a short timeframe.
Hundreds of children cross each day from the heavily populated Oakwood, Glendale and Castletroy View estates, while the older population of Norwood and Lynwood also use the pedestrian crossing to access the shops.
Locals have been appealing to Limerick City Council to check the timing and co-ordination of the various sets of lights at the junction, and to provide a second lollipop lady.
Karol Canty Hayes said her nine-year-old son is lucky to be alive after being hit by a car.
“The green man was on as he was crossing to go to watch a match in Claughaun.
“A driver ignored the red light, hit the child and then ran into another car, before taking off.
“At the hospital they said my son was lucky to be alive.
“The road is a death-trap”.
Tony Murphy said motorists are ignoring the red lights and not realising that there are pedestrians crossing just around the corner.
“The pedestrian lights aren’t giving people enough time to cross.
“A car transporter broke the lights last Friday and he shrugged his shoulders at those standing in the middle of the road.
“If a guard could come for half- an- hour in the morning every day for a week he would have first hand account of what’s happening”.
Deputy Willie O’Dea said the council had discussed creating an additional lane at the junction.
“The simplest and most inexpensive solution would be to change the timing of the lights, it’s a relatively simple problem.
“We made representations to the council last summer and they fobbed us off saying they’d put in an extra lane of traffic and fix the lights at the same time.
“That proposal seems to have died a death”.
In December 2010, roads engineer at city council, Rory McDermott, replied to a request for action from then TD Peter Power.
It stated that extensive monitoring of traffic movement at the site revealed that the “operation of the traffic signal apparatus is acceptable and meets all of the specified operating requirements of such apparatus”.
It was also advised that “another adult school warden is not warranted”.
