'Elevated risks on daily basis': Call for road measures in Cork city suburb

Independent Ireland councillor Noel O’Flynn requested several road safety and improvement measures around Mayfield and Glanmire at the most recent local area committee meeting, all of which the council have said they will investigate.

He highlighted ongoing road safety risks present at the junction of Church Hill, Barnavara Hill, and Old Youghal Road, particularly the area directly adjacent to the school.

Mr O’Flynn said: “This junction services a highly trafficked route and a sensitive community setting, where children, families, and vulnerable road users are exposed to elevated risks on a daily basis.”

He said that the council should initiate an immediate assessment of the junction and prioritise the implementation of a pedestrian safety scheme, including the installation of zebra or pelican pedestrian crossings, improved kerb realignment, enhanced surface demarcations, raised table crossings, chicanes, build-outs, or road narrowing.

He also suggested that they reduce the legal speed limit in the vicinity of the school to 30 km/h.

Response 

Acting director of local area development and operations, Emer O’Callaghan, said: “Cork City Council are aware of the issues in the vicinity of New Inn National School. Some of these issues relate to driver behaviour during school drop off and collection time, coupled with speeding issues on the Old Youghal Road on the approach to the school. 

"This location forms part of the NTA BusConnects Network Redesign project and we have commenced discussions with this team to find an appropriate solution for the area.”

Mr O’Flynn also called for the council to erect cul-de-sac signs at the entrance to Tivoli Estate, and a warning sign at the start and end of Lover’s Walk for heavy goods vehicles to deter them from using this road, explaining: “Many vehicles are directed by GPS and use the road in error.”

Ms O’Callaghan said that they will assess the request for new signs at Tivoli Estate: “Any works deemed appropriate will be added to the roads programme and undertaken subject to priorities and available resources.”

She added: “There are existing weight restriction signs at the entrance to Trafalgar Hill/Lovers Walk from the Lower Glanmire Road and also with the junction of Middle Glanmire Road.

“These signs are on a list for replacement and upgrade.”

Additionally, he requested that double yellow lines be extended on both sides of Old Youghal Road from the bottom of Richmond Hill to the top of St. Patrick’s Hill to prevent vehicles parking illegally.