Concern raised over Limerick roundabout
THE NEW Beary’s Cross roundabout in Co. Limerick received a resounding welcome at a Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting but there was one cause for concern highlighted.
Cllr Martin Ryan said it is a “job well done”. However, he queried the signage coming from the Boher side at the upgrade to the existing junction on the N24 Limerick to Waterford national road with the regional road R513 to Caherconlish/Mitchelstown.
Cllr Martin Ryan said when you come up to the roundabout in the left lane there is an arrow to show that that lane is for the turn left to Caherconlish.
Traditionally, the left lane is for turning left and for going straight through a roundabout.
Cllr Martin Ryan said a person who is in the left lane and who wants to go straight for Limerick is in the “wrong lane”.
“Motorists are not informed early enough,” said Cllr Martin Ryan, who knows a thing or two about roads and transport as he runs Martin Ryan & Sons with brothers Declan and Brendan.
Cllr Martin Ryan fears it could cause an accident if somebody in the left lane heading for Limerick encroaches on those in the right or “correct” lane.
Trevor McKechnie, senior executive engineer with Limerick City and County Council, said he would check it out with the road design office.
Cathaoirleach John Egan raised a concern about signage on the Limerick side of the roundabout obstructing the view from a farmer’s entrance.
Cllr Brigid Teefy said the new roundabout at Beary’s Cross was a “fantastic job” and also praised the work done on footpaths.
Cllr Eddie Ryan said the new roundabout has made a “big difference”. He welcomed the access point for Murroe-Boher GAA ground from the roundabout.
Cllr Eddie Ryan bemoaned the fact that “the same wasn’t done for the business at O’Rourke’s Cross” like it was for the Firgrove Hotel at the roundabout in Mitchelstown and for Murroe-Boher GAA at Beary’s Cross roundabout.
Continuing on the transport theme, councillors also highlighted the condition of some roads with Cllr Ger Mitchell saying “existing potholes were getting deeper and deeper”.
“They are getting worse by the day,” said Cllr Mitchell. Cllr Eddie Ryan said the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District has 34% of all the roads in the county.
The monthly meeting also heard that the bridge in Bruree was damaged in the last two months by a truck driver after it was raised by Cllr Mike Donegan.