Missing signage, overgrown hedges and lack of accessible parking on West Waterford roads
The issues were highlighted at the Civic Offfices in Dungarvan.
At the July meeting of Dungarvan-Lismore District Council, councillors highlighted the urgent need for road safety improvements throughout West Waterford.
Councillor Thomas Phelan (Labour) said that the surface markings in Dungarvan's Grattan Square were "badly needed", stating: "People are coming against the one-way system in front of the line at Bank of Ireland, which is quite dangerous. They're parking on what should be walkways and across the ends of pedestrian markings."
The Executive said they would "'have a look" at the square's markings.
Councillor Pat Nugent (Fine Gael) said: "The road from Stradbally to Dungarvan, as you leave the castle side of Clonea and heading towards the bridge, the signage is missing in some areas. In other areas signs are covered in briars and thorns. There have been two accidents over there in the last three weeks."
Councillor Kate O'Mahoney, Sinn Féin, spoke about the possibility of installing speed ramps in certain estates: "Parents in Marquis Drive, Childers Estate, and An Rínn are asking for speed ramps at the entrances to housing estates. Children are off school, they're outside playing. The parents aren't comfortable with them being outside due to speeding outside.
"I've asked and I've been told no, so what is the exact reason why Council is not in favour of putting speed ramps in the entrances of housing estates anymore?"
Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom Cronin noted that the Road Works Programme (RWP) was underway at Colligan Church, saying: "I asked for the money to be put in place and I think everything was put in place, but I also asked for a package for Villierstown. There's a road there that was terrible bad and work started there just a number of weeks ago."
He continued: "Outside the chemist in Ardmore, it's nearly impossible to get parking at times and a number of people with disabilities have asked me if it would be possible to put a disabled persons parking bay there?"
Councillor Niamh O'Donovan also asked about the installation of an accessible parking bay in Cappoquin. She also raised the issue of hedge-cutting.
Cathaoirleach John Pratt of Labour said: "I concur with Cllr O'Donovan[...] there were always areas that we did do, even in the off-season because of the dangers and they weren't necessarily on the main routes. There should be some exceptions."
Senior Executive Engineer Maria Goff said to Cllr O'Mahoney: "In regards to speed ramps, we do not install them. The reason for no speed ramps is that they can cause noise. The speed within estates is 30 kilometres and this is enforced by An Garda Síochána."
Ms Goff confirmed that the Executive has to follow the guidelines as set out under the Wildlife Act 1976.
She said: "I just want to reiterate: we have to minimise our hedge-cutting. I know it's on safety grounds, we have a national primary and national secondary junctions, and we've also got regional junctions. If there are specific junctions you want us to look at, we'll look at them but you know we have to be compliant with the Wildlife Act."
The Executive said they would "look into" the accessible parking locations in Ardmore and Cappoquin.
