Calls for safety measures in Limerick village after woman in motorised wheelchair is struck

URGENT road safety measures are needed in Kilfinane following a woman in a motorised wheelchair being hit by a car, claims a local councillor.

Cllr PJ Carey put down a motion at a Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district meeting that “traffic calming and road safety measures in Lower Main Street, Kilfinane, including at the junction with the R517, be reviewed.”

Cllr Carey said it follows a serious road traffic collision in the town.

“An elderly lady using a motorised wheelchair had to go out on the road as cars were parked up and blocking the footpath. She had no choice but to go out on the road. While out on the road she was struck by a car. The guards were called.

“Thankfully she didn’t sustain any serious injuries but it could have been a lot worse. I put down my motion following this incident,” said Cllr Carey.

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The response to the Sinn Fein councillor’s motion from Limerick City and County Council reads: “The Cappamore Kilmallock municipal district office will liaise with Cllr Carey on this request and review the current traffic management arrangements at Lower Main Street, Kilfinane.”

Cllr Carey welcomed the response and looks forward to works being carried out so people in wheelchairs can safely use the footpaths in Kilfinane and not be forced out onto the road.

Cllr Carey also spoke of his attendance at the Step Forward Disability Group’s launch of their Photographic Community Access Awareness Project at Hospital Family Resource Centre earlier this year.

The group audited the communities of Ballylanders, Galbally, Hospital, Kilmallock and Bruff to raise awareness of the impact obstacles have on the day to day lives of people with disabilities.

The Step Forward Group raises awareness of day-to-day barriers such as cars parked on footpaths, bins on footpaths, service poles, signage, poor highlighting on steps, hedging and briars coming out onto footpaths etc  They say cars parked on footpaths across all towns; villages and city area are illegal, and there needs to be a campaign to highlight the message regarding parking on footpaths and its impact on people with disabilities, older people and parents with buggies.