Leitrim residents petition Council for safer access near popular amenity area

Residents in Kinlough have created a petition calling for traffic calming measures on a road leading to a popular amenity area.

The matter was raised at a meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, where Cllr Justin Warnock submitted a motion stating, “After receiving a petition for the Council from the residents of Oak Grove in relation to their concerns for road safety at this location, I ask the roads department to carry out a road safety audit on the R281 at this location and then carry out the necessary works to allay the residents’ concerns.”

Cllr Warnock noted that people must cross the road at the location to continue along the footpath towards Kinlough Eco Park, a popular amenity which has a playground, forest walk and lake access.

He noted that the road is currently subject to a 50km/h speed limit, there is no pedestrian crossing, and many cars are double parked along that section of road and on the footpath.

“It’s gotten more difficult. There’s the eco park, kayak club, playground and people going out fishing and people going walking. We’re trying to promote this amenity but we need safer access to it,” he said.

He also brought the petition to the meeting, which the other councillors present signed.

A response confirmed that the District Office will review the location and see what can be done to improve road safety, but said it would be premature to carry out a road safety audit when no funding stream has been identified.

A safety audit is normally carried out after the preliminary design of a scheme to identify potential safety hazards and crash risks for all road users.

Cllr Gilmartin seconded the motion, saying the amenities in the area are “wonderful,” and “it’s something that should be prioritised if at all possible.”