Driver behaviour on Kilkenny road 'causing huge distress and anxiety'
Concern raised at Kilkenny district meeting about speeding on roads in Freshford and Urlingford
Chairman of Castlecomer Municipal District, Cllr Michael McCarthy has called for urgent action to tackle speeding issues in both Freshford and Urlingford, warning that residents are living with growing anxiety over road safety concerns.
Speaking on the matter at a recent district meeting, Cllr McCarthy highlighted what he described as an ‘alarming’ increase in the speed of vehicles entering Johnstown Road in Freshford.
“The speed of vehicles entering Johnstown Road is alarming,” he said.
“This is happening on a daily basis and is causing huge distress and anxiety among local residents.”
He formally requested that the municipal district’s area engineer investigate the matter and identify measures that can be implemented to improve safety for residents and road users.
“I am asking that the necessary steps be taken towards finding a resolution before the inevitable accident occurs,” he added.
The Freshford concerns come amid ongoing frustrations over speeding on Togher Road in Urlingford.
Cllr McCarthy said that while measures were installed in the past, they have failed to fully address the problem.
“Speeding continues to be a major issue on Togher Road,” he said.
“The traffic calming works carried out a number of years ago were, in my opinion, only a stopgap and temporary solution as the problem still exists.
“I’m asking our Area Engineer to take a fresh look at the area, which is extremely built up and well populated.”
Cllr Mary Hilda Cavanagh noted that, in relation to Togher Road, “it’s not always Kilkenny drivers that are speeding” and she also raised the safety concerns of pedestrians and those in nearby residential housing.
Speaking about road issues in the district, Cllr Michael Delaney said TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) “need to start answering questions”.