"Will we have to wait for a fatality?" - Call for safety improvements on busy Kilkenny bypass

There are fears that a fatality may happen on a busy Kilkenny road before improved road safety measures are put in place.

Cllr Joe Lyons raised the ongoing  issue of speed and the risk to motorists when turning at junctions along the Callan Bypass at last week's meeting of Callan Thomastown Municipal District councillors.

Cllr Lyons asked when is the speed reduction coming into place, when will the upgrade of the bypass take place and what can be done to avoid accidents.

"I have requested a roundabout at the Westcourt junction many times, but TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) who are responsible for national roads refuse this." Since early summer there has been numerous  accidents, said Cllr Lyons. "Will we have to wait for a fatality to implement the works? Speed and lack of singular laneways are the problem," he said.

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In response area engineer Declan Murphy said the works will commence next year. The design and plans are currently being undertaken and hopefully the works will commence after Easter. As regards the reduction of the current speed level he told Cllr Lyons it will be reduced to 80km/hour in line with the national reduction of speed limits on national roads.