Calls for zebra crossings on ‘dangerous’ road

A TD is calling for the installation of zebra crossings at Sylvan Drive in Kingswood as he said it is “dangerous” for children who cross the road there.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is backing a campaign for installation of zebra crossings from the community centre to the bus stop and from the playground to the opposite side of the street.

Deputy Murphy said: “With the volume of traffic in the area around Sylvan Drive, it is dangerous for children to cross the road to and from the playground/teenspace and for local residents to walk to the shops.

“We need at least two zebra crossings in this area.

“I contacted the council about this last year, but they don’t seem to understand how dangerous it is to cross the road here and are saying they will only consider an ‘uncontrolled crossing point’.

“However, there is already an uncontrolled crossing here and this does not make it any safer for children, the elderly or disabled residents to cross.”

Deputy Murphy then put his concerns into the context of the increase in pedestrian deaths nationally and reiterated his calls for the two zebra crossings to be installed.

“There has been a dramatic increase in pedestrian deaths in 2023 and already nine pedestrians have been struck and killed by cars this year,” he said.

“A big majority of these deaths are elderly people.

“National policy on zebra crossings has recently changed so that there is no longer any requirement for orange Belisha beacons to be installed beside every zebra crossing.

“This makes installing new zebra crossings much easier and less expensive.

“There is no reason why the council should not install zebra crossings here especially when road deaths are increasing.

“I am supporting a community campaign organised by Kingswood resident and People Before Profit’s local election candidate for Tallaght Central, Jess Spear, to put pressure on South Dublin County Council to urgently install at least two zebra crossings from the community centre to the bus stop and from the playground to the opposite side of the street.

“Canvassing in the area has shown widespread support for the campaign and a petition organised in the local area has already gathered hundreds of signatures from local residents.

“We will keep the pressure on the council and make safer road crossings a major issue in the forthcoming local elections.”

The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council for comment, but a response wasn’t received at the time of print.