Ballinderry speeding concerns

There’s a need for speed ramps, speed cameras and signs at the Ballinderry Road to deter motorists from speeding, Cllr Hazel Smyth told Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad colleagues and officials at their July meeting.

The Green Party councillor said motorists are driving much faster than the 50kmh permitted in the area.

Support came from Cllr Ken Glynn, who said he has also raised the issue in the past: “It’s a busy road,” he said, explaining that there are a lot of entry and exit points and a stretch with no footpath.

In his view he continued, funding should be sought because otherwise the issue was going to wind up being raised over and over again by concerned councillors.

Also in support of Cllr Smyth’s call was Cllr Mick Dollard: “There’s a lot of people now using that road as a rat run off the Russellstown Road to avoid going around the main Lynn Road,” Cllr Dollard stated.

Cllr Andrew Duncan agreed it was a rat run and felt there was a need for action: “I don’t for the life of me think for one minute that a change in signage will make any difference. You need to interrupt the behaviour by putting in speed ramps.”

By way of response, the executive stated that a speed survey will be carried out to determine the extent of the possible speeding that may be taking place at that location in order to determine whether any traffic calming measures are necessary.

District engineer Pat Kavanagh said the council has looked at the road and agrees that traffic travels fast on it: “I think the road may warrant low cost safety measures,” he said adding that he would also be seeking Active Travel funding for it.