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Cllr Deirdre Ferris.
ARDFERT will not be getting a new pedestrian crossing or traffic calming measures anytime soon, as Council officials say they are not warranted.
Sinn Féin Cllr. Deirdre Ferris asked for an update on the speed survey, footfall survey and traffic calming measures in Ardfert village, at the online meeting of Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council on Tuesday.
Cllr Ferris has brought up the issue repeatedly at Council meetings in the past year, where she said something needs to be done sooner rather than later and the health and safety aspect should take precedence over footfall and pedestrian movements.
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In reply, Council management said speed surveys were carried out on the Tralee and Ballyheigue approaches into Ardfert on two occasions in 2021 on the dates between May 26 to June 1 and June 3 to June 11.
These surveys monitored traffic on a 24hr basis and analysed motorcycles, cars and trucks. The average speed on the Ballyheigue approach within the 80kph zone was 75km/h and the average speed recorded on the Tralee approach to the village within the 50kph zone was 58km/h.
They said the results informed the MD that significant traffic calming measures were not warranted.
A pedestrian count was also undertaken within the village on October 14 between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm at the intersection of the R551, Church St and The Square.
This count was carried out in accordance with DN-GEO-03084 which outlines the procedure for the assessment of the need for pedestrian crossings.
This survey counted the number of pedestrians/vehicles in 15minute blocks and assessed the crossing location difficulty.
Additional weighting was given to the location based on proximity to schools/shops/doctor’s surgeries/community facilities.
Council management said the value reached did not meet the threshold value required for the installation of a pedestrian facility.
Surely a village like Ardfert should have a pedestrian crossing!
More madness by by Kerry County Council to conduct surveys which is not a free service, as a tax payer based in Tralee I am not impressed.
Cllr Ferris is right, something needs to be done sooner rather than later and the health and safety.