Kilkenny roundabout is like a 'landing strip'

The issue of speeding in Kilkenny City was raised at a meeting of Kilkenny Municipal District on Friday December, 9. Cllr Eugene McGuinness  (NP) stated that the Newpark Roundabout onto the Castlecomer Road was like a ‘Ryanair landing strip’ due to the speed of the traffic on it approaching the city. 

Cllr Maria Dollard  (GP) raised the issue of when there would be ‘really tangible measures’ taken  to address road safety on the Ring Road. She said there needs to be a resolution to investigate a bridge or access route for pedestrians crossing the road as well as a review of speed reduction. 

She mentioned in particular that there needs to be a review of safe routes to school on the Ring Road for children from the Ukrainian community who are staying in the Springhill Hotel. She asked if there could be signage requesting drivers to slow down as the 100 km speed limit  should be considered a ‘target and not a limit’.   

Extremely cold tonight in Kilkenny with widespread temperatures below -5 degrees

Severe frost and ice on the way according to both local weather watcher and Met Eireann

Cllr John Coonan (FF)  welcomed the introduction of new speed limit signage at  the Johnswell Road and New Orchard Road and enquired if there was a policy to introduce more to other locations in the city. Cllr Joe Malone (FF) also echoed the positive sentiments about the speed limit signs saying; “ As a Councillor, it is great to see it - well done.” 

Cllr Andrew McGuinness (FF) emphasised the need for a ‘safe way to get pedestrians across the Ring Road’, especially with the new developments now taking place on the road. He said struggles to get across the road were ongoing and a resolution needed to be found whether it was  an ‘overpass or underpass’. 

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Investment for Thomastown, Callan and Glenmore part of the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Ian Gardner City Engineer with Kilkenny County Council replied that there was a review of the Ring Road speed limit planned as part of a wider review of radial routes and inner orbital routes in Kilkenny. He said that high traffic volumes on the Ring Road needed to be taken into account and they were currently being surveyed. He said they were very concerned with the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the N10 and they were exploring overbridges, underpasses, traffic signals and junctions as possible solutions. Details would be given in the future about these initiatives.