LIMERICK City and County Council has been asked to provide a proper pedestrian crossing outside Caherdavin church on Blackthorn Drive.
Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea joined forces with local community activist Pat O’Neill to highlight the need for the crossing at a recent site meeting with council officials.
“Many residents of Caherdavin, particularly those that attend Christ the King Church and parents of children attending the neighbouring primary school have said to me that crossing Blackthorn Drive can be a nightmare. During the school year in particular, there are hundreds of people using this crossing every day,” Deputy O’Dea explained..
“Whether it’s a set of traffic lights, a zebra crossing with flashing amber lights or a flashing speed limit indicator, something needs to go in at this location to improve this crossing and make it safer for pedestrians before there is a serious accident.”
A council spokeswoman confirmed that a site meeting took place with both Willie O’Dea and Pat O’Neill about the need for the pedestrian crossing.
“This site was assessed two years ago and it didn’t meet a warrant for a controlled crossing in a previous survey. In the absence of not meeting the warrant, the council provided for traffic calming measures at the site. Two adult school wardens are also provided at the school during school hours.
“In relation to a future site assessment, both Willie O’Dea and Pat O’Neill were advised that this will take place when school is back – it doesn’t make sense to do this beforehand. The Council has also committed to speed and crossing surveys at the location. Anything new would have to be provided in consultation with the Gardaí,” she concluded.
