FINE Gael councillor Daniel Butler has appealed for action on speeding in the Mungret area, particularly on the Camheen and the Caher Road.
This, the former mayor said, comes following some near misses of pedestrians out walking and of locals pulling out of their homes.
“The problem is very serious,” he told the Limerick Post.
“With the return of schools, it worsens further as cars use the Camheen and Caher Road as short cuts at high speeds to access local schools and the industrial estate for work. Similar experiences have been seen in Clarina also with traffic avoiding the traffic lights in Clarina village.”
The City West representative pointed out that a number of submissions have been made to the speed limit review process over the years for the area, but all have been rejected.
He takes the view that current speed limits of 80km/h are totally inappropriate for what is a densely populated residential area.
“The fact our appeals have been rejected continually shows a disregard for the safety of locals,” he insisted.
Speed limits are controlled by Speed Limit Bye-Laws, into which members of the public can submit a request for speed limit reviews. Limerick Council manage the process locally, but the final decision on roads lies with the Department of Transport.
“I feel we have support locally, but the Department of Transport, who have no idea the culture of the road, are not giving us the hearing we deserve. Locals are very frustrated with the situation and worried about someone being seriously hurt and I cannot blame.
“Having walked these roads myself, the speeds you experience around bends and blind spots is frightening. We need to see action of some kind locally and most importantly enforcement by the traffic corp of An Garda Síochána.
“I was, however, heartened to see proposals from the Transport Department and Minister McEntee of reducing speeds in 80kph areas such as this down to 60kph. However, this is of no use without enforcement,” Cllr Butler concluded.
