VIDEO:Locals demanding urgent action over 'lethal' junction
A CONCERNED resident living in Curraha is calling for urgent action to be taken to introduce speed calming measures at the Curraha/Swans pub junction saying that it's only a matter of time before a whole family is wiped out.
Joe Dwyer is a member of the Curraha Crossroads Committee, a group lobbying for the introduction of safety measures at the dangerous intersection.
“I'm living here 41 years and live 100 yards from the crossroads and every day of the week I see near misses. There have already been two fatalities, it's crazy.
“I'm looking at it every day of the week. There are families with children passing through the village going to Tayto Park and I've actually seen them stop in the middle of the road as it is so badly signposted they don't know that it is a crossroads and one day a lorry is going to come along and wipe a family out.
"People have been shocked by the video of the crossroads but this is our reality every day.
“Even for me to get into my driveway I'm taking my life in my hands every day. It really is lethal.
“I wrote to minister Shane Ross and asked him if there was any chance of getting a speed van at the junction as a temporary measure until work starts and even though he is minister for transport he said he has no authority to instruct the Gardai where to put them. We need to do something so someone else isn't killed.
“Cllr Joe Bonner set up a meeting with minister Ross which was very positive but we are still waiting for work to start.”
Cllr Bonner says that funds have been allocated for the project and work at the crossroads is due to start in the coming weeks,
“I organised a meeting with Minister for Transport Shane Ross and he allocated funding for speed calming measures. The work is due to start very soon. We had several public consultation meetings that were very well attended. A survey had to be undertaken and the project designed along with it going out to tender so that takes time.
Residents are lobbying for urgent action to be taken to make the crossroads more safe
“The project will include the introduction of speed tables and signal crossings so cars will not be able to speed through at speeds they are going through at the minute and there will also be a footpath and improved signage. All of the things will make the junction much safer.
“People new to the area drive straight through the junction. It's a nightmare for people living here. People are also using it as a rat run to get onto the N2, the road as it is isn't suitable for that volume of traffic. There are 600 people working in this area.
“New safety measures will make a huge difference to the community. It's a beautiful countryside area with a lovely village atmosphere but nobody can walk or cycle there because it's not safe. Some people are prisoners in their own homes because the road is so dangerous.
“We need to give people back their locality.”