Writes Leo McMahon
Measures aimed at slowing traffic and improving pedestrian safety in Passage West and Monkstown were requested in motions from Cllrs Eoghan Fahy (SF) and Una McCarthy (FG) at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).
Cllr McCarthy had a motion seeking a raised pedestrian crossing to be constructed outside Fr Collins Community Centre, Passage West so as to enhance safety and accommodate the high volume of pedestrians crossing the busy main R610 road, many of whom were members of clubs and organisations using the centre.
Cllr McCarthy said Fr Collins Centre hosted activities for a lot of adults and children, many of whom had to cross the road. A raised crossing would improve safety and hoped this would be considered if funding became available.
Seconding, Cllr Fahy noted that former Cllr Seamus McGrath (FF) had a motion on the same issue in April 2024. An application was submitted under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Fund Scheme but was unsuccessful. He suggested this be re-submitted.
Apart from the rowing and others club and the Men’s Shed in the centre, people coming from Rockenham had to cross the main road and there was the multi-use Marmullane Park on the other side. Speeding there was terrible, he added.
In a report, acting senior executive engineer Alan Cogan stated: ‘At present, there is an uncontrolled crossing at this location. This will be kept under review and included for consideration if funding becomes available’. He added that raised crossings were not the answer to everything.
Cllr Fahy’s motion called for flashing speed signs to be installed along the R610 either from Aldi to Pembroke roundabout or between the roundabout and Marmullane Park, Passage West. Cllr McCarthy seconded.
The engineer reported that a digital flashing speed display sign was previously installed adjacent to Aldi and data showed no issues relating to speeding in this area. When the speed signs were being rotated in the MD, this location could be revisited.
Cllr Fahy wondered if the sign could be placed on the Marmullane Park side adding that speeding was a problem near what is a community hub.
This was noted by Mr Cogan who reiterated that the council was not the enforcement body for speed control. Unfortunately, there was an attitude out there and it essentially came down to driver behaviour.
Monkstown Road
Cllr McCarthy also had a motion requesting a digital speed display sign on the L2474 road between the junction to Diamond Road and the junction to Laurel Hill to improve safety on what is a busy stretch. Cllr Fahy seconded.
Known locally as Monkstown Road, Cllr McCarthy said the volume and speed had significantly increased over the years and unfortunately there had been fatalities. Residents had contacted her about it.
The engineer replied that rotation of speed signs within the MD would be undertaken and one of these could be located there for a period of time. In reply to Cllr Fahy, he said such signs were usually changed around, where necessary, about every six months as otherwise, these lost their effectiveness.
Cllr Fahy had a motion requesting that Bloomingdale, Passage West be included in the resurfacing programme for this year, mainly the 110 metres section through the estate. Cllr McCarthy seconded.
Mr Cogan replied that it would be included for consideration and a determination would be made once funding allocations were known.
There were also requests from Cllr Fahy to extend grit/salt treatment of the road to Bloomingdale and Avondale, Passage West which is hilly and for resurfacing of the Rochestown Road by the city and county councils. Cllr McCarthy concurred and the engineer replied that it was intended to grit as far as Avondale in future.
Cllr McCarthy thanked the council for gritting of footpaths at Church Hill, Passage West as it greatly assisted pedestrians going to the local primary and secondary schools. All councillors paid tribute to area office staff for their great work tackling road problems during recent adverse weather.
Repair of a sinking manhole by the council near Graham Roche Motors, Cork Street, Passage West was requested by Cllr Fahy. The engineer said he understood this had been reported to the wastewater section who should report back to the councillor.
In reply to Cllr Fahy, senior executive officer Maurice Murphy confirmed to him that there was a heritage plan for Passage West but against the background of current restructuring of the county council it was important to achieve a cohesive plan that co-ordinated with the town enhancement plan and other projects in the locality that was deliverable. He undertook to report back to members.
On a proposal by Cllr McCarthy, seconded by Cllr Fahy, the MD congratulated St Peter’s Community School senior boys on retaining the FAI Munster Schools Senior B Under 19 John Murphy Cup by defeating Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh. The team went on to defeat Glenamaddy, Co Galway in the All Ireland semi-final. St Peter’s were All Ireland champions in 2024.
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