Traffic calming for Ballivor.....but still no ramp

Long campaigned for traffic calming works in Ballivor are to be carried out before Christmas but councillors have expressed disappointment that the scheme does not include raising the pedestrian crossing.

At this afternoon's Trim Municipal District Council meeting, Engineer Donna Pringle outlined that tenders had come back for the works and were being assessed and that the scheme would be delivered before Christmas.

She outlined that works included an upgrade of the pedestrian crossing and there would be gateways signs on all approaches into the village. Lighting will also be upgraded.

Ms Pringle said the main problem with the pedestrian crossing was visibility, and that once Uisce Eireann are finished the mains works there, they would be upgrading lighting in the village which would also improve visibility.

There will be tactile paving, improved footpaths, and bollards to prevent parking as parking was blocking visibility on the approach and some parking will be lost to make the crossing safe.

The current condition of the road is not good enough to put road markings on so it will be resurfaced for a distance of 40m.

While there will be full gateway signs on the eastern approach from Summerhill, there is not sufficient space on the other three approaches so these have the smaller advance warning signs.

Cllr Boyne welcomed the works but commented that there were "still no ramps". Ms Pringle responded that ramps were not needed and visibility was the issue after the crossing was assessed.

"People want a raised pedestrian crossing between Byrnes and Centra," replied Cllr Boyne.

Ms Pringle reiterated that visibility was the main issue. "People were parking nearly on the crossing so you couldn't see people approaching it. With improved lighting and no parking on the approach you should clearly see now."

"That's fine but the ramp was main thing," said Cllr Boyne.

Cllr Joe Fox said that for gateway signs to be effective, you need a raised platform, adding that in Kildare they have them at the approach to every village.

"That is the key that is missing. I know you are constrained by funding but I think that's the key to it. If you have raised platform on the approaches you don't need the ramps internally. People know they are in a urban area. It works well brilliant in Kildare." said Cllr Fox.

Cathaoirleach Noel French said that improved visibility is to be welcomed but that the speed of traffic going through there, a raised crossing or pushed button crossing is needed at that point.

"It is going to improve the situation but it is still going to be a dangerous crossing," he said.

Cllr Padraig Coffey agreed that a raised platform was needed. He gave the example of Dangan NS and said the stats showed that speed reduced from 67kph before the ramps were installed to 45.7 kph afterwards.

"I respect that there are budgetary constraints but I do believe there needs to be a raised area or ramp." He gave the examples of Johnstownbridge and Clonard as other areas where raised crossings had been successful.

Last year locals highlighted series concerns around the pedestrian crossing in Ballivor and an incident where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle prompted a protest in the village on 30th December to highlight speed and safety issues. In response Meath County Council gave a commitment to address issues at the pedestrian crossing.

During the discussion this afternoon, Cllr Ronan Moore also raised the issue of visibility at the pedestrian crossing at Market Street in Trim. While acknowledging there wasn't the same speed at this location, he said visibility was an issue and Ms Pringle agreed to look at it.