This article is from page 8 of the 2011-07-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
RESIDENTS along the old N18 road between Barefield and Crusheen are “mystified” by the removal of road markings in the area, a meeting has heard.
The issue was highlighted at yesterday’s meeting of councillors in the Ennis East Electoral Area. In a motion, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) requested that “that no road markings be removed from what was the N18 road without the consultation of elected members”.
Cllr Meaney told the meeting that residents in the area are “mystified” by the removal of a “ghost traffic island” at Ballymacona Cross. He said the removal of the traffic island was understandable given its proximity to a bend of road leading to a fly-over on the M18 Ennis / Galway road.
However he added that it “appears curious” that a traffic calming measure installed at a cost and that helped motorists when the road was busy, was removed at a cost.
Cllr Meaney acknowledged that there is an issue in relation to the speed of cars coming off the flyover.
He said that he was concerned that decisions to remove road markings were being taken on a “unilateral basis” without the knowledge of the public or elected representatives.
In his reply to Cllr Meaney’s motion, Senior Executive Engineer Eamon O’Dea stated, “The existing line marking at Ballymacona Cross on the R458 (old N18) was put in place at the end of the Ennis bypass project. The design build contractor of the Ennis bypass and their road safety auditor (and checked by the supervising engineer) required that a ghost island was installed at the Ballymacona Junction, as the dual carriageway was reducing to a single carriageway way on the N18.
Mr O’Dea added, “The N18 is now the R458 and the traffic levels has reduced on the road, the design build contractor for the Gort Crusheen project and their road safety auditor (and checked by the supervising engineer) consider that a ghost island is not required and that the lining provided complies with the required standards.”
Mr O’Dea told the meeting that he is “not happy” with the road surface or the bends leading to the fly-over.