'It is a huge hazard' - call for safety measures on West Waterford scenic route

If something is not done about the Vee Road, there will be fatalities.

That is according to Councillor Niamh O’Donovan, at the June sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council.

Cllr O’Donovan said the road has always been dangerous, but more needs to be done to prevent accidents.

“It’s been raised since 1995 when the first incident happened with a school bus, and many years since, there have been an awful lot of accidents at this point.

"Actually, there is no signal there. So it’s an absolute nightmare, but the rock is jutting out on the road; it’s a real narrow patch of road in the nighttime or even in the daytime. It’s a huge, huge hazard,” said Cllr O’Donovan.

The section of the road is the R668, three kilometres north of Lismore. Cllr O’Donovan said that in addition to dangerous rocks and narrow roads, there is a lack of signage and overhanging trees.

“I think there were three [accidents] in the space of five weeks there recently enough. So it is imperative that the overhanging trees on this road are removed before a fatality occurs on this stretch of road,” said Cllr O’Donovan.

Director of Roads Gabriel Hynes said they would look at signage in the area, but they cannot remove the rock, and drivers need to slow down.

“The Vee Road is a very scenic road. High backroads. Lovely trees there. 

"However, very narrow. The lighting is poor. We don’t envision any significant work there. Again, coming back to drivers, they need to drive at the speed that is safe for the road they are driving, and they need to be conscious of the hazards that exist there,” said Mr Hynes.