Limerick councillor expresses concern over road's condition after collisions

A LIMERICK councillor has expressed concern about the gritting of a local road, after two minor collisions caused by slippery conditions at a crossroads in the last two days.

An incident this Tuesday morning in Pallaskenry, just 24 hours after another ice-related collision on the same road yesterday morning, prompted Independent Cllr Emmett O’Brien to call for gritting on the local road.

“For over the last three years I've been requesting the council to grit L1242 from Hegarty's Cross to the Grand Gates, Pallaskenry. While I accept the council will only grit national and regional routes, an exception should be made for this road in view of the high number of students attending Copsewood, 700 pupils, almost 150 agriculture students and primary school kids also,” he said.

@LimerickToday @mariaflan another car crash! Have been repeatedly refused by request Council to grit L1242 Hegarty's Cross on N69 to the Grand Gates Pallaskenry. This local road is exceptional with 700 secondary and 150 ag students attending Copsewood & primary school kids also

— Cllr Emmett O'Brien (@EmmettOBrienIND) December 12, 2017

The Pallaskenry councillor said that the road is already a slippery surface due to its smooth surface.

“The surface of the road is of a regional road standard with an asphalt surface and is highly polished. Even at the best of times, the road is dangerous to use, with high traffic volumes and in some cases high speed. There have been a number of, thankfully non-fatal, crashes on this road over the last number of years,” he said.

“The council responded that this ‘Local Road is not a route on The Winter Maintenance Plan'.

"Unfortunately, there is no capacity to extend the Maintenance Plan’. The response is very disappointing but consistent with what I've been told for the last three years,” added Cllr O’Brien.