'A dangerous place' - Kilkenny to get new pedestrian crossings amid safety fears

Growing concern over road safety has prompted calls for traffic calming initiatives on the Bonnettstown Road and Lord Edward Street in Kilkenny City with the local authority committed to achieving a resolution.

Funding has been provided by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which will fund three new pedestrian crossings set to be erected on the route later this year.

In a motion raised at the most recent sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District, councillor Maria Dollard welcomed the development, citing the need to ensure public safety going forward.

Currently, the speed limit on the stretch of road is 60km/h with an electronic sign reminding drivers of that limit.

READ NEXT: What We Know as three separate fires are reported in Kilkenny City

"These measures would be considered in the interest of the large increase of housing in that area, the need to ensure students have safe crossings at Lord Edward Street to Lousybush Lane and the existing traffic to Dicksboro GAA Club and HGVs entering and exiting Grasslands Fertiliser business," she said.

"I've been approached by a significant number of people living out the Tullaroan Road or around the area of Dicksboro GAA Club," Cllr Dollard told the meeting.

"On several occasions, I have seen cars enter that 60km/h zone at 80km/h or more," she continued, noting there have been a number of accidents on the road.

"It is a dangerous place for pedestrians and cyclists. We’re trying to get people to use active travel, kids to walk to school so we do need safety.

"Cars are travelling at speed. I’m 20 years a mother travelling out to Dicksboro GAA Club and I’ve lost count of the number of times people have overtaken me on Lord Edward Street when I’m going at a normal pace for a residential road."

FOR MORE KILKENNY CITY NEWS, CLICK HERE