Frustration As Pedestrian Crossing For Ardfert Junction Turned Down Again

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The Village Cross in Ardfert.

TWO councillors expressed their frustration that the Council has decided a pedestrian crossing is not warranted at a busy junction in the centre of Ardfert village.

Both Cllr Toireasa Ferris and Cllr Norma Foley both had motions about the issue before the meeting of Tralee Municipal District last week.

Cllr Ferris asked for an update on providing the crossing at the village cross and that speed limiting measures be introduced from Glandore Gate to the Centra shop.

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The Council’s reply was that they undertook an assessment/pedestrian count in accordance with the Pedestrian Crossing Specification and Guidance and found it was not warranted there.

Following this, the Tralee MD undertook footpath improvement works earlier this year and formal uncontrolled crossing points near the Village Cross were strategically located. They said these improvements were a positive addition and that they would monitor their effectiveness.

A speed analysis was also undertaken in the area in November 2018 and the data indicated that traffic calming measures were not warranted.

Cllr Ferris said a number of elderly residents and visually impaired people were having difficulty in crossing the road at the Cross. She said there should be no problem in constructing it from the footpath to the fountain and across to Flaherty’s.

She said vehicles travelling from the cathedral were gaining speed by the time they reached Glandore gate and a crossing would be a signal for them to slow down.

Cllr Ferris said it didn’t matter that the numbers of people crossing in the Council’s analysis didn’t meet the criteria, it didn’t change the fact that it was needed for young and elderly people.

Cllr Ferris said a commitment was given for a pedestrian crossing when there was a revised traffic management plan for the village 12 years ago and it still hasn’t come to pass.

Cllr Foley said that whatever way you look at it, there is a need for a crossing for both young and old people from a health and safety point of view. She said that no matter what the results of the analysis were, the Council will have to go back and look at it again.

One Comment

  1. Matty O'Leary says:

    LOL, a busy junction in the centre of Ardfert village!

    Yes I am sure, “The Council’s reply was that they undertook an assessment/pedestrian count in accordance with the Pedestrian Crossing Specification and Guidance and found it was not warranted there.”

    However, at the end of the day would it break the bank for Kerry Council to give the community a pedestrian crossing. After all, the citizens of Ardfert are tax payers too and deserve the road improvements to their village.

    Cronyism aside, when Kerry County Council want too, the so called public service (overpaid, underworked jumped up administrators funded by the Irish tax payer) can be very excessive bureaucratically.

    I only wish Both Cllr Toireasa Ferris and Cllr Norma Foley could pass motions for the issue of Kerry County Council to undertook an assessment on their staffing levels, productivity, pay and allowances are warranted!

    LOL 🙂

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