‘Reckless driving’ concerns raised at Leitrim archway, prompting safety calls

There have been several “near miss incidents” at an archway in Jamestown, with calls for improved road markings to make the area safer.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, where Cllr Paddy Farrell said that “residents and locals are very concerned about the speed of traffic into the arch and have witnessed several near incidents over the past number of years, months and weeks.”

His motion called on the district engineer to take “immediate action” to slow down traffic going through the arch, following several representations made by “very concerned” residents who have witnessed “reckless driving which could cause serious consequences.”

Cllr Farrell noted that he was in a different county where he saw an arch similar to the one in Jamestown, with markings on either side of the arch, and thought it was “very effective” in slowing down traffic. He asked for something to be done “sooner rather than later” to improve the situation.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Maeve Reynolds, who said that for anyone new to the area, they do not know which side is meant to yield and which side has the right of way.

“It needs to be made clearer because I’ve witnessed some close ones as well,” she said, and Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte added that markings either side would make a “huge difference.”

The motion was supported by all councillors in the Municipal District.

A response from the Roads department confirmed that they will arrange for the location to be assessed from a safety perspective.

Road markings and signage will also be refreshed when the road marking contractor is next in the area.

“Any further appropriate speed management measures identified following the assessment will be considered, subject to engineering requirements and available resources,” the response concluded.