Calls for safety barrier installation at Citywest Luas ‘car-smash’ scene
By Mary Dennehy
CALLS have been made for a crash barrier to be installed along the Citywest Luas stop, after car thieves smashed a stolen car through the existing bollards and travelled across the tram tracks at speed into a nearby field.
The incident, which happened before Christmas, occurred on the stretch of road which runs along the Luas line as it travels past the Citywest Shopping Centre, towards Carrigmore estate in the direction of the Citywest Hotel.
Independent Tallaght councillor Dermot Richardson told The Echo: “This is a very dangerous stretch of road, and a number of residents have been in touch concerning the need for more suitable safety barriers along the Luas line and platform.
“I appreciate that this was a robbed car and was travelling at speed, but for drivers new to the area or travelling to an event in Citywest Hotel, this road with its many bends poses serious danger – especially due to its proximity to the Luas line, Citywest Shopping Centre and housing estates.”
Cllr Richardson contacted Transdev in relation to the re-installment of the damaged barriers, work which was completed this week.
However, he has recommended to Transdev that the installation of a sturdier, crash barrier is considered for that stretch of road.
“If anybody had been crossing the tracks or if the car hit a Luas, this crash could have been much more serious,” Cllr Richardson said.
“It took some time to replace the barriers and you could really see how open and vulnerable that location is.
“The bollards that have been installed do seem to be heavier. However, people have been concerned over the safety of this road for some time and the area needs a proper safety or crash barrier to be put in place.”
When contacted by The Echo, a spokeswoman for Transdev said: “A bollard with reflective strip was installed before Christmas, with the remaining damaged bollards replaced yesterday (Tuesday).”
In relation to Cllr Richardson’s call for a crash barrier, Transdev will follow-up on the query and pass it onto Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which is responsible for infrastructure and design on roads.
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