Should Crosshaven Have One Way Traffic?

Writes Leo McMahon

Concerns expressed about speeding, increasing traffic and the condition of the surface at Camden Road led to a suggestion that a one way system being considered for Crosshaven at the recent meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).

A motion from Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) called on the MD to assess Camden Road for resurfacing and appropriate traffic calming measures having regard to the condition of the road and concerns about speeding and safety along it.

There was also a motion from Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) highlighting speed and safety concerns and suggesting the council look at measures, especially during summer months, with so many cars and walkers assessing Camden Fort Meagher.

Cllr Buckley said councillors had been contacted about a problem that had been going on for years and she argued that with the fort re-opening, the council had a duty of care for residents of Camden Road. She hoped that improving the surface would be on the list of works for 2027 especially as footpath were not going to happen. Cllr McCarthy said the surface was particularly bad towards the fort.

Crosshaven, where one way traffic to and from the roundabout via Point Road and Lane and Camden Road has been suggested to ease traffic congestion - photo Leo McMahon

Supporting both motions, Cllr Patrick Donovan (FF) noted a point made about a possible one way system on a trial basis, using the Point Road, Point Lane and Camden Road Lower because on a recent weekend the village roads were choc-o-block both ways. To do so might take the pressure off in Crosshaven and Camden with more tour buses etc. using the roads. Along with the fort, he pointed out that the GAA and Soccer Clubs were at the top of Camden and it was also the 220 bus terminus.

Cllr Buckley said she was aware that Gardai issued tickets for illegal parking, mostly in bus bays, and many residents didn’t go near the village at weekends or sunny days due to the heavy traffic and the lack of parking.

In reply to Cllr Buckley’s motion, acting senior executive engineer Andy O’Brien pointed out that speeding was an issue for An Garda Siochana, not the MD area office. To Cllr McCarthy, he said there was no funding for Camden Road this year but it would be listed for 2027. At the MD meeting, he said that any proposed traffic plan would have to consider facilitating the 220 bus route.

Cllr Buckley repeated the call on motorists, including overnight camper van owners, not to park on the yellow box reserved for bus turning at the top of Camden Road.

MD officer Denise Kidney reported that Camden Fort Meagher opened on May 20th. It operates for seven days from 10am to 5pm in July and August and for five days Wednesday to Sunday, in September and October. There are free tours daily at 12.30 and 2.30pm. There’s also a local seasonal pass and a café on site.

On a proposal by Cllr Jack White (FG), the MD congratulated David Quinlan and staff of Oceans of Discovery on the new Interactive Marine Experience in Camden Fort Meagher.

Ms Kidney said 14 students and two supervisors from Carrigaline MD’s twin Newport News, Virginia, USA recently visited the area and helped out in work at the fort and at Templebreedy graveyard near Crosshaven.

In reply to Cllr Buckley, she said that Casual Trading and Services Bye-laws were adopted on May 15th and application forms were available in the MD office in Carrigaline for posting or dropping in.  To a query from Cllr White, she said public consultation would be required for any possible casual trading site that might emerge if it was a major one but undertook to check this.

Cllr Buckley said a discussion was needed about the fact €60,000 for Christmas lighting now accounts for half of the MD’s €120,000 Town Development Fund (TDF). It was agreed to  hold a meeting ‘in committee’ (private) in the autumn about this and major projects in the MD.

On a proposal by Cllr Buckley, MD members congratulated Crosshaven Trad Sail and Fort to Fort on their successful events and praised the volunteers. She also spoke about the challenge facing in meeting the cost of insurance.

       Cllr Buckley asked if €3,000 could be allocated out of the TDF festival fund to Crosshaven Trad Sail who mistakenly applied for this under a Tourism grant scheme.