’We can’t turn a blind eye’ – Traffic calming sought outside Tulla GAA grounds - Clare Echo

TRAFFIC calming measures have been sought outside Tulla GAA amid ongoing concerns over speeding and pedestrian safety.

While councillors said action was long overdue, Clare County Council warned that the rural location and 80km/h speed limit make the provision of a pedestrian crossing unlikely.

The issue was raised by Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Cllr Conor Ryan (FG), who tabled a motion at the July meeting seeking traffic calming measures along the R352 adjacent to Tulla GAA grounds and improved pedestrian access to the town.

Cllr Ryan highlighted that this is an “ongoing issue” for the area due to “the speed of traffic flying by the road.”

He said he “understands the limits” given the GAA grounds are located along a regional road, but questioned what “hard or soft measures” could be implemented to reduce vehicle speeds.

Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) supported the motion, noting: “If you go back through the history books, we’ve all had motions down on this issue.”

“Just because we didn’t sort it out back then, does not mean we haven’t tried to find a solution,” he said, adding: “I don’t think we can turn a blind eye.”

Referring to the “historic issue”, Cllr Hayes said events at the GAA grounds were not the main concern, but rather the day-to-day use of the road, saying: “It’s one of those places where it’s an issue to get kids to.”

In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Declan Flanagan said Clare County Council had already delivered a number of active travel schemes in Tulla, including links to the athletics track and Tulla United FC, as well as a traffic calming scheme near St Mochulla’s National School.

However, he said those projects were located within the 50km/h speed limit zones and settlement boundary of Tulla, while the section of the R352 beside Tulla GAA presents additional challenges.

Mr Flanagan said the council had concerns regarding the provision of a pedestrian crossing at the location, particularly due to the road being a Strategic Regional Road with an 80km/h speed limit.

He said factors including traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, pedestrian numbers, road layout, crossing delays and safety records would all have to be considered when assessing whether crossing facilities could be provided.

“Primarily Zebra Crossings and Pelican crossings are installed in urban locations where speeds are low (50 to 60km/hr),” he said.

Mr Flanagan said the rural nature of the area, together with the alignment, width and volume of traffic on the R352, meant “it is unlikely that a speed reduction in this area to less than 80km/hr would be approved.”

He added that the issues raised in the motion could be examined as part of a future Local Transport Plan for Tulla, which is an objective under the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

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