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Is this the most dangerous junction in Ireland? Eve Kelliher reports on concerns surrounding the junction from Upper Lewis Road on to the Killarney by-pass
The road leading to Kilcummin is on extreme right. Also on right in foreground is the land near the by-pass road and Kilcummin road with overgrown bushes and trees. Lewis Road junction, entrance to Bridgefield estate and the railway track are also visible.
DESCRIBED as “one of the most dangerous junctions in Ireland”, the Lewis Road/Killarney bypass junction is an accident black spot. It has been the subject of numerous urgent discussions by local politicians and Kerry County Council alike, in their quest for solutions to the crux from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, formerly the National Roads Authority. And while local officials have constantly raised the issue in recent years, it would seem it is only Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that has the power to green light remedial action. “I have come across literally dozens of accidents there,” said Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae. “But there are ways and means of making it safe.” The Independent TD noted that the junction was nothing short of “chaotic”. “It is an accident black spot and is one of the locations with the highest incidents of accidents we have in the area,” he said. This is a sentiment echoed by the chairman of Killarney Municipal District, Councillor Brendan Cronin. “This is a lethally dangerous junction, which has caused a huge number of traffic accidents and fatalities over the years,” he told Killarney Advertiser. “But Transport Infrastructure Ireland has ignored all our pleas to take steps to alleviate the situation.” The junction was badly designed
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from the outset, added Killarney’s first citizen. “There are no two ways about it; it is a flawed junction,” he said. “If you are coming from Lewis Road and turning right, you are crossing three lanes. And the sad reality is the maximum speed limit applies.” But he feels there are options to remedy the situation. These would include the temporary solution of the addition of a slip road to the left, which is an idea also suggested by his fellow Killarney Municipal District councillor Cllr Donal Grady. Other options are a roundabout or a different layout, added Cllr Cronin. Councillor Donal Grady, in his days working with the Killarney Fire Service, said he had witnessed at first-hand the tragic results of numerous accidents at the black spot. “I have had at least seven motions before the council on the issue in recent years on it and I felt so frustrated I said at one stage we should build a wall across the area and let no one use it,” said Cllr Grady. “When I was working with the fire service I attended one tragic accident in which a woman had died in a crash there.” He added: “It must be the most dangerous junction in Ireland, yet we are not allowed to put a roundabout there. It shouldn’t be allowed to continue.”
The sizeable section of land with overgrown bushes and trees that surrounds the by-pass road and Kilcummin junction. On extreme left in background is the road leading to Kilcummin. On extreme right is foreground is the by-pass road and bridge over the railway track.
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Could unused land on both sides of bypass offer a solution? ROUNDABOUTS and relief roads have been mooted by frequent users of the bypass and residents of the area as potential solutions to the danger junction. Others have suggested a “leftonly” turn at the top of Lewis Road as a way of evading the peril that faces everyone who makes their way on to the bypass.
But one local resident and frequent user of the road felt the “left only” turn is definitely not the answer. “There is plenty of unused land on both sides of the bypass road that could provide a solution to this problem,” stated the resident. “Maybe a roundabout could be built that can link both junctions or a relief road can be built running
under the by-pass and linking the Bridgefield entrance with the Kilcummin road. It's a matter for the engineers, county council, Irish Rail and Transport Infrastructure Ireland and also a funding issue but it's definitely worth exploring.” Pedestrians also face constant danger when they walk the route. “Some of those living in the
area have discussed the idea of opening a walkway parallel to the railway track. This would run under the bypass bridge and under the Bridgefield estate entrance,” added the local resident. All of this sounds good, but is there enough space to create such a walkway and a relief road or slip road also?
Scenes from some of the many traffic accidents at the notorious blackspot on the Killarney by-pass road.
A close up and more detailed view of the problem area. Both junctions are visible here. The junction and road leading to Kilcummin is on left in background. The road loops around the land that surrounds the by-pass road and Kilcummin junction. It is a quite sizeable section of land with overgrown bushes and trees that could help to provide a solution to traffic problems in the area. The route of the railway track is also visible running under the road and bridges. The Lewis Road junction is on the right. The small bridge entrance to Bridgefield estate is also visible on right.
27.01.17 Killarney Advertiser
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CALL FOR SAFETY MEASURES FOR ALL AT DANGER JUNCTION
In the second of Killarney Advertiser’s series on the Killarney bypass road junction, Eve Kelliher reports on local road users’ concerns
Please provide safer access, say residents
Concerned locals at the busy Lewis Road junction on the Killarney By-Pass road. From left are Pat Healy, Pa McGillycuddy, John Lyne and his dog Fletch, Enda Walshe, Ciara Irwin Foley, Mags O'Mahony, Tony O'Brien, Breda Walshe, Johnny Culloty and Amy Walshe. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
FROM roundabouts to footbridges, local residents have plenty of suggestions as to what could be done to make the area safer for both the pedestrians and motorists who use it on a daily basis. Resident Pa McGillycuddy has for many years called for a roundabout as a solution to the crux. “The left-turn is ridiculous. One day I counted 75 cars in a line of traffic, all going westward,” he said. “I actually went back and counted them as there was such a big hold-up.” Pa has campaigned for a roundabout over the years and as part of this at one stage collected 95 signatures of people in favour of a roundabout as a solution. “I feel there is plenty of room for a roundabout, I really feel it would solve the problem,” said Pa. Other residents and pedestrians who use the area John Lyne and Enda Walshe also voiced serious concerns about the junctions. “As a resident and pedestrian I know there has been mention of a walkway adjacent to the rail track and I wonder also, what about creating a footbridge over the road?” said Enda. Bridgefield residents Breda and Amy Walsh Karen, Claudia and Tia Bruton, Emma and Noreen Kelly, Ciara “I think something similar to the arrangement at Dublin’s and Kate O'Sullivan crossing the Killarney By-Pass road. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH Red Cow roundabout and the Luas station there when looking to access the Red Cow Moran Hotel could work.”
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‘Your heart would be in your mouth given the many accidents there’ OVER a thousand young people face the hazardous journey via the bypass to training at the grounds of two popular Killarney sports clubs every week. Representatives of both Killarney Legion GAA Club and Killarney Celtic FC have highlighted the dangers their members face when they try to access the club grounds. Killarney Legion GAA Club is home to up to 450 juveniles. “These boys and girls’ safety is of paramount importance to us,” club chairman Enda Walshe told Killarney Advertiser. “Realistically all those kids and their parents encounter the link road and junction up to three times a week during the year and many have to factor in delays – especially during the summer months – in getting access into our grounds. Your heart would be in your mouth given the many accidents up there. “As for the future I think a roundabout seems the most realistic and safe option.
Whatever measures are taken to make it safer we as a club would back 100%.” Up to 600 members of Killarney Celtic FC use the club’s facilities each week, noted its chairman Paul Sherry. “These members are aged from under-eight upwards,” he said. “People trying to access the grounds across the bypass has been a problem for years.” The speed of the traffic on the thoroughfare is a serious concern, he noted. “What is needed is the creation of safer access,” added Paul. “At the very least traffic-calming measures are needed here. The club would very much welcome action to be taken to create safer access to our club grounds. At 6pm it is almost impossible to access this area. “From the club’s perspective we would love to see something being done to make access more safe for families and children who use this route on a daily basis.”
Bridgefield resident and Killarney Legion Chairman Enda Walshe and Killarney Celtic Chairman Paul Sherry at the busy Lewis Road junction on the Killarney By-Pass road. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
Tim O'Meara, Killarney Legion Chairman Enda Walshe, Ciara Irwin Foley, Pat Healy, Killarney Celtic Chairman Paul Sherry, John Smith and Pa McGillycuddy at the busy Lewis Road junction on the Killarney By-Pass road. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
03.02.17 Killarney Advertiser
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So what’s the solution?
In the third of Killarney Advertiser’s series on the Killarney bypass road junctions, Eve Kelliher talks to Killarney Gardaí, Kerry County Council, road users and public representatives and presents their views
Local residents Pa McGillycuddy, left, and John Lyne, right, with politicians at the busy Lewis Road junction on the Killarney By-Pass road. From left are Deputy Martin Ferris TD, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Senator Paul Coghlan, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae TD, Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, Cllr Donal Grady, Cllr John Joe Culloty, Cllr Brendan Cronin (Mayor of Killarney), Cllr John Sheahan, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae TD and Cllr Michael Gleeson. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
Killarney Gardaí
Kevin Moynihan, local road user
“When gardaí are called to respond to an accident on the bypass, prior to arrival our expectations are that it’s going to be an accident involving serious injury or fatality.”
“My office is nearby so I use this route four or fives times every day. I feel it is extremely dangerous. The only logical solution is a roundabout. It is extremely dangerous crossing three lines of traffic when you are going right and even turning left, you are exposed to danger.”
Kerry County Council “We have raised the concerns of the members in relation to the Lewis Road Junction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on a number of occasions. The junction with the Killarney bypass is part of the N22 National Primary Road Network. Any improvement works, including the revision of the road layout, is subject to the approval of and provision of funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The TII directly determines the locations that will be funded, based on criteria that are set down in their technical standards, and which are ranked having regard to recorded collision data. Whilst the location was not included on the list of schemes approved for design in the current year, we had further discussion with the TII, particularly having regard to the recorded minor injury accidents at this location over the past five years. We will shortly be making a formal submission to have this junction assessed.”
John Lyne, local resident “Sooner or later a child is going to be killed on the bypass. I think the closed pedestrian access under the Bridgefield Bridge should be reopened or else a flyover is our only hope, or have a lollipop man there on a 24-hour basis!”
Deputy John Brassil, Fianna Fail “I think there should be a left turn only at the Lewis Road junction. There is great risk with the right turn on to the bypass. The other solution is a roundabout but I don’t think there's enough space to put in an effective one.”
Deputy Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein “I am in full support of the efforts of residents of the area to make the exit from Lewis Road left-turn only, I also want to see the pedestrian crossing upgraded to ensure pedestrians, especially children, are able to cross the road safely.”
Deputy Brendan Griffin, Fine Gael “The Killarney bypass junctions with Lewis Road and Madam's Hill and the Tralee-Killarney road are just two examples in very close proximity to each other that public representatives constantly raise, but the TII and the Department respond that they are not an issue. These are examples where the process needs to be tweaked.”
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, Independent “One thing I continuously ask for is the reduction of the maximum speed limit of 100 km/h on the
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National Primary Route and on the bypass. The cost of this would be minimal and could be done very quickly. Obviously much greater works need to be done and should be given urgent consideration.”
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, Independent "I have asked Irish Rail to open the existing pedestrian underground crossing with no cost which will make it so safe for pedestrians and it is, as I have stated, the most dangerous junction in Ireland. I await their reply to this query."
Mayor of Killarney Councillor Brendan Cronin, Independent “I have always maintained, based on the amount of accidents, that the Lewis Road junction and Kilcummin junction on to the bypass are lethally dangerous and it is now time that senior council roads engineers along with management of the TII provide adequate funding to re design a safer layout on what must be the most dangerous junction in Killarney.”
Councillor Michael Gleeson, Kerry Independent Alliance “Many years ago I suggested that there should be a left only turn there and that vehicles would proceed to the Cleeny Roundabout. Obviously in the immediate future a strictly enforced speed limit of 60km per hour should apply for 200 metres on both approaches to the junctions. In the longer term the possibility of re-aligning the bypass road should be investigated and actively
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pursued. If the right turn from Lewis Road onto the bypass is going to remain for the present then a proper left lane should be developed at Upper Lewis Road. The possibility of a roundabout on the bypass further west could be re-examined.”
Councillor Maura Healy-Rae, Independent “It has to be one of, if not the most, dangerous junctions in the country, there have been fatalities at this junction and there are regular accidents and near-misses continuously. Coming up from the Lewis Road cars should not be turning right as it is too dangerous trying to cross two lanes of traffic where the speed limit is 100km. Also the junction layout is quite blind from both sides for seeing oncoming traffic.”
Councillor John Sheahan, Fine Gael “Councillors have made numerous motions concerning traffic issues at this very dangerous junction on the bypass. I believe if TII were to sanction a 50km speed limit at this Junction it would solve this issue.”
Councillor John Joe Culloty, Fianna Fail “On a very short-term practical level I have called for a 50k speed limit sign to be put on the other side of the junction. There should be no right turn. For the average person gong form the Cork side to the Tralee side, it only adds 25 seconds to the journey which is a small price to pay for safety.”
Councillor Niall Kelleher, Fianna Fail “The junction in its current state is very dangerous. TII is not in favour of a left turn I am calling on TII to review the junction and come up with an alternative layout and design so it is made safer for all road users. There is also a big problem with the traffic backlog there.”
Councillor Donal Grady, Independent “A temporary solution would be the addition of a slip road to the left. Other options are a roundabout or a different layout. It must be the most dangerous junction in Ireland, yet we are not allowed to put a roundabout there. An underpass to the Kilcummin side would be another solution.”
Local resident John Lyne and Deputy Michael Healy Rae TD near an old pedestrian access route by the railway track near the Killarney By-Pass road. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH
Senator Paul Coghlan, Fine Gael “A flyover would be one solution, but it would probably be prohibitive cost wise. Secondly, an elongated roundabout could be another solution. I think it is a frightfully dangerous junction and with a housing estate nearby both pedestrians and cars are constantly using it. I would be interested in seeing the outcome involving talks between officials, councillors and engineers.”
‘I feel lucky to be alive after crash’ By Eve Kelliher KILLARNEY woman Ciara Irwin Foley says she feels lucky to be alive after a head-on collision she experienced on the Killarney bypass road several years ago. Ciara, who was driving from the Cork Road side in the direction of the Cleeny Roundabout, was hit by a car turning from the bypass onto Lewis Road. “It was a head-on collision. At the time my three children were quite young – the youngest only two – and I feel lucky to have walked away alive from it and that I am here to tell the tale,” she told Killarney Advertiser. In the car on her own at the time, Ciara says she was fortunate that an ambulance happened to be several cars away on that occasion and she was promptly taken to the then-Kerry General Hospital for treatment. However, unsurprisingly, the experience has taken its toll. “Even driving in the area now gives me a sense of panic, sometimes I am petrified, ” she said. Ciara feels a good solution would be to create an underpass from
Lewis Road to the other side, similar to the system in operation in Rathkeale, Co Limerick. The fact that Killarney is a tourist town, with many visiting drivers, is another key reason that the area needs to be redesigned, she added. “The danger is magnified when motorists using left-hand drive vehicles are trying to enter or exit the bypass,” she said. “There have been islands added at the junction area in the intervening years since my accident, but in my opinion that makes things worse.” In addition, over the years, Ciara has faced the day-to-day difficulties of emerging onto the bypass at peak times when ferrying her children to school. “It is a nightmare to get off the Kilcummin Road in the morning. At school times there is a backlog that stretches very far back. And then you are taking your life in your hands going across,” she said. “I also feel it is lethal for children coming out of Bridgefield on to the bypass. There is no pedestrian crossing and a backlog of traffic. So many children need to cross the bypass as pedestrians also to go to soccer or football at the Killarney Celtic and Legion grounds.“
Motorist Ciara Irwin Foley trying to negotiate a turn at the busy Lewis Road junction on the Killarney By-Pass road. PICTURE: EAMONN KEOGH 03.02.17 Killarney Advertiser
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