Serious safety concerns raised over pedestrians crossing Kilkenny's Ring Road

Serious safety concerns have been raised by councillors over the Ring Road at a recent Kilkenny City Municipal District meeting.

Councillor John Coonan penned a notice of motion which stated that new developments adjacent to the Ring Road have led to an increase in the volume of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Ring Road and asked the council to look at measures to greater facilitate pedestrians and cyclists crossing the Ring Road safely.

“There has been a huge increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists. It is increasingly dangerous for people walking and cycling and trying to cross the Ring Road,” he said.

Cllr Coonan said that he was looking for low cost intermediary measures to be put in place and to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to seek their support.

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Cllr Martin Brett supported the motion adding that he had previously raised the issue at a council meeting while Cllr Eugene McGuinness described it as ‘an ongoing issue’.

“The Ring Road is too dangerous to cross, we will have to come up with some solution. Something needs to be done and done quickly especially with the build up of businesses in the area.”

Cllr Andrew McGuinness said that all councillors want ‘is a safe way for pedestrians to cross’.

“There is so much employment and more planned. We need to make this an urgent priority,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Cllr Maria Dollard.

“We really need to address this urgently. We can’t keep allowing development out on the Ring Road without more safety measures.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Tim Butler said that the consultants have been appointed under Active Travel

to look at the Ring Road adding that safety is the big issue.

City engineer, Ian Gardner said that all options are being looked at.

“We are expecting a report in two months time and they are looking at every junction and link and at all the different options

including overbridges, underpasses, retrofits and traffic signals.” he added.