Calls for barrier to be installed at traffic lights to prevent accidents
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THERE are calls for a barrier to be placed at the Scholarstown Road traffic lights opposite SuperValu Knocklyon as some school children on scooters struggle to stop, leading to a child on a scooter being hit by a car last month.
According to Cllr Deirdre O’Donovan, the child couldn’t stop their scooter as they had gone from the downward slope from the Orlagh roundabout to the traffic lights, and had picked up speed along the way.
The Scholarstown Road traffic lights where calls are being made for a barrier
This is a persistent issue during the school run, and Cllr O’Donovan said a number of constituents had contacted her about near-misses at the traffic lights.
“There is a natural slope from the Orlagh roundabout down to SuperValu Knocklyon,” explained Cllr O’Donovan, “and there’s a shared path for people who are walking and on scooters.
“Last month, I was made aware of a child who picked up so much speed that when he got to the traffic lights he shot through the lights and into the road. He was hit by a car, but thankfully wasn’t seriously injured.
“Numerous people have told me about near-misses at the traffic lights, where the child stopped and jumped off, but the scooter kept going.”
Cllr O’Donovan is calling for a barrier to be erected at the site to prevent other incidents, and she said that she has raised the issue with South Dublin County Council.
The local authority stated that there are no barriers or railings at the traffic lights as new guidelines mean they have to “declutter” junctions for cyclists, and they added that not having those features improves visibility at the junction and makes it safer for vulnerable road users.
“I don’t know what local authority prioritises the appearance of an area over our children,” added Cllr O’Donovan. “It’s absolutely outrageous.
“As a community, we’ve been dismissed and our concerns have been dismissed – it’s utterly unacceptable.”
The issue will be raised by Cllr O’Donovan at a council meeting in January.
A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said: “The council was informed by a local representative that a child on a scooter travelled down the shared area at speed and failed to stop.
“We are not aware of any other incidents at this location. The location will be assessed to determine what, if any, interventions may be appropriate.”
By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.
TAGS Tallaght
