Clogherhead Councillor calls for Speed Safety Impact Assessment
Councillor Declan Power has called on Louth County Council to provide an urgent Speed Safety Impact Assessment for Chapel Road in Clogherhead which he says is a speedster’s dream that could quickly become someone else’s nightmare if something is not done promptly.
The stretch of road in question leads from St. Michael’s Church to Hill Crest in Clogherhead.
Cllr. Power is calling on Louth County Council to urgently provide a Speed Safety Impact Assessment before someone gets seriously hurt or worse. “Residents have been reaching out and pleading to have something done as soon as possible” he said.
“Act now rather than re-act later when the damage is done” he pleaded at Monday’s Borough Council meeting. “Parents and children must cross that road to the local school with extreme caution, and there is a need for a pedestrian crossing.
“Elderly residents have spoken to me about the speed of cars at night-time that has left many who live adjacent to Chapel Road in utter fear,” said Cllr. Power.
Last week, resident Cecylia Fluder had her beloved cat ‘Richard’ knocked down and killed. This has naturally caused great devastation for Cecylia and her husband, Piotar.
“The loss of our cat devastates us. Everyone knew ‘Richard’. The speed on this road is ridiculous. This could happen to a child just as quickly as they cross the road,” said Cecylia.
Brian Gargan, who lives on Chapel Road, said, “There are a lot of young families living on this stretch of road. Kids are always crossing to the shop, bus stop and estates. It’ll be too late to use traffic calming measures after someone is hurt.
“Cars and motorbikes use the straight stretch to pick up speed, and when they reach the top of the hill, there is no footpath. The road also narrows far too much at the bend of McArdle’s shop.
“This is an accident waiting to happen. There is plenty of space to widen the road, and that should be done ASAP.”
