Writes Ciaran Dineen
Councillor Marcia D’Alton (Ind) has called for safety measures along a section of Carr’s Hill for cyclists to be implemented to reduce risk of collisions on the busy road.
Cllr D’Alton, in a motion at the September meeting of the Carrigaline Municipal District (MD), has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to “clear some of the grass verge along Carr’s Hill to create a hard shoulder where currently there is none. In the absence of a dedicated cycle lane, this would provide safe refuge for cyclists.”
Cllr D’Alton’s own recent experience cycling on Carr’s Hill is what prompted her to raise the matter with the Council last month. She described it as “an experience genuinely not to be repeated.” Cllr D’Alton was particularly concerned with a specific section in the road where it narrows as you reach the top of the Hill.
Speaking in Council Chambers, Cllr D’Alton stated, “I know that when the M28 is built there is a proposal, which is backed by TII, to look at establishing a safe route for cyclists along what we now know as Carr’s Hill. But I don’t actually think we can wait that long and I’m asking that they would pull back the grass verge just a bit, even half a metre, would make a difference so that cyclists can have some refuge.”
While requesting the additional safety measures, Cllr D’Alton did however add that she would not encourage people to cycle on Carr’s Hill but that for those that choose to, some form of short-term safety should be facilitated.
In a statement from Senior Executive Engineer, Alan Cogan, the following response was issued, “this Area lies within the Cork City Council Boundary has been passed to TII for comment. Noted that location of these works is sensitive bearing in mind the volume of traffic utilising this roadway at all times of day and night and that any works would involve considerable traffic management and potential lane closures.”
Many of the other Carrigaline councillors weighed into the discussion. Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan (Ind) commended the motion, giving his full support. Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) also was in support, suggesting that the provision of a pull in area would help to alleviate traffic congestion. Cllr Seámus McGrath (FF) was however slightly more cautious and expressed his “mixed feelings” on the matter, giving his own perspective that cycling on Carr’s Hill, in its current form should not be encouraged. Finally, Cllr Michael ‘Paul’ Murtagh (FG), was also concerned with the idea of encouraging additional cycling, but from a practical perspective recognised that a small area to act as a refuge for cyclists might be beneficial.
Adding to his written response to Cllr D’Alton, Mr Cogan reemphasised that the lands in question were in the City Council boundary, and not in the control of the County Council. He also stressed that works in the area would not be straightforward. The matter remains with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.