IT is “one of the greatest miracles of all time” that somebody hasn’t been killed attempting to cross the road at a very dangerous location at Fairhill in Killarney, it has been claimed.
Cllr Michael Gleeson said there have been several very close encounters at the pedestrian crossing which links the side of the street on which the courthouse is located to the opposite side where there are two hotels, a pub and a number of other businesses.
He was commenting as Killarney Municipal District Council yesterday passed a proposal for an extensive upgrade of the existing pedestrian crossing on the R876 at Fairhill which will involve the provision of a zebra crossing with revisions of kerb lines, loading bays and a reduction of the carriageway to 6.5 metres.
The work will also incorporate the construction of a kerbed island linking the crossing to an existing island at the exit from the Franciscan Friary roundabout.
Observations made by the Killarney Royal Hotel and the Kerry Diocesan Youth Service during the public consultation phase – with both parties in favour of the changes – have been taken on board by council officials.
An existing loading bay outside the courthouse will be extended for the benefit of those delivering to businesses in the area but the traffic island in the middle of the road will be adjusted to prevent the problem of vehicles parking and blocking a restricted area as is currently the case.
Council engineer David Doyle said parking in that ghost island causes a real hazard and he suggested that delivery vehicles can park in the car park at the rear of the courthouse which is a very short distance from businesses in the vicinity.
Cllr Donal Grady pointed out that it had previously been agreed by the council that all delivery vehicles should be gone out of the town by 12 noon and that bye-law must be enforced.
Mr Doyle also stressed that under the current bye-laws in Killarney, the overnight parking of buses anywhere on the streets is prohibited.
Cllr Niall Kelleher, whose office is in the Fairhill area, said the existing pedestrian crossing is “exceptionally popular” and there was a problem with buses and commercial vehicles unloading in the middle of the road which is why the build-outs are necessary.
He added, however, that the proposals do not fully address the issues that have arisen as if a vehicle is parked illegally, there is no room for a bus to get through.
“There are three hotels in the vicinity and no accommodation is being made for them. We must provide for them and I don’t think we have thought this through. It’s solving one problem and causing another,” said Cllr Kelleher.
He proposed that regular parking be allowed outside the courthouse and that a loading bay and bus set-down area be provided outside the retail units on the opposite side of the road.
Cllr John Joe Culloty agreed that some provision would have to be made for those delivering goods and dropping off guests to the hotels, restaurants and shops.
The decision to proceed with the works was proposed by Cllr Michael Gleeson and seconded by Cllr Donal Grady and carried on a 7-1 majority, with Cllr Kelleher saying he was abstaining in protest.
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