Writes Leo McMahon
A review of the busy junction in Passage West town centre was urged by Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Ind) at the monthly meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).
In particular she suggested a ‘Stop’ sign be installed at the end of Main Street where it meets with Railway Street and the Square. At present there was a ‘yield’ sign which was almost permanently twisted unavoidably due to contact with passing heavy vehicles.
Drivers didn’t always stop coming out of both Main Street on the R610 heading for Monkstown and from Railway Street while some stopped just beyond Main Street in order to get vision which was a natural thing to do, said Cllr D’Alton. Drivers coming down Church Hill into the same junction couldn’t see what was coming from the Monkstown direction or from Main Street and vice versa.
Arguing the case for a full review of the junction next to the Centre Block, she said it was nearly impossible for pedestrians to cross it. The junction at the Square comprises Main Street, Railway Street, Strand Street, Beach Road, Church Hill and Back Street.
Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) agreed with the suggestion of a ‘Stop’ sign because anything that could make the junction safer would be welcome.
Acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan replied that the Roads Design Office previously looked at this junction regarding a possible scheme. He undertook to contact them.
Widening of the disabled driver parking space at Chapel Square, Passage West was requested in a motion from Cllr D’Alton.
This was necessary, she explained, so that the dropped kerb between the parking space and the footpath could always be accessed by local wheelchair users. At present, some cars parked on part of the yellow box next to it and blocked the ramp. Mr Cogan said he would investigate to see if this was viable.
Cllr D’Alton also had a motion calling on the council to install light heads on existing timber poles along the unlit stretch of Church Hill, Passage West. She said it was a busy road serving existing several residential areas. Cllr McGrath seconded.
The engineer replied that this request would be forwarded to the council’s public lighting section for possible consideration under the 2024 lighting programme. The 2023 programme would be emailed to councillors shortly.
Cllr D’Alton asked that lime trees that had been planted at Avondale Mews, Passage West didn’t take and asked that the council could assist in the planting of ash trees instead. MD officer Carol Conway said it should be possible for the council to assist on this.
Cllr D’Alton repeated her call on the city council for attention to trees on the R610 between Passage West and Rochestown. She also asked that the engineer have a look at the line marking recently carried out near the pedestrian crossing at Monkstown to enable extra parking between it and the bus stop.
At the previous meeting, Cllr D’Alton had a motion that the MD would advise members of when the lease for the Cross-River Ferry operating out of Glenbrook was to be renewed and that prior to this, both the executive and councillors would give consideration to any ways by which the council could help relieve queuing on the R610 through Glenbrook.
With only one ferry operating, she felt there was need for a discussion with the operator to increase this because at times, traffic could build up on the main road as far as Glenbrook Wharf Apartments.
Cllr McGrath seconded saying the present situation wasn’t safe nor sustainable, adding that he previously raised the issue with the Director of Roads. Cllr Jack White (FG) in support, said a second ferry as needed at peak hours.
The engineer said the council was constrained with the existing road width but agreed a second ferry was needed at times.
Voicing her concern, Cllr D’Alton said signs were needed to discourage swimming at the pontoon in Passage West. She suggested a meeting with the harbour master.
Cllr D’Alton asked that The Green, Passage West from the R610 to St Mary’s Cemetery be included in the next resurfacing programme. Cllr McGrath seconded.
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