Residents fear accident at ‘dangerous’ crossing

Residents fear accident at ‘dangerous’ crossing

By Mary Dennehy

SOUTH Dublin County Council has no plans to make changes to a pedestrian crossing in Tallaght, despite residents’ fears that it’s an “accident waiting to happen”.

Concerns around a busy pedestrian crossing between Kingswood and Kilnamanagh have been raised locally, with residents’ concerns heightened by an increase in footfall to and from the newly opened Kingswood Community College.

Kingswood Kilnamangh crossing compressor

The crossroads at the Luas Kingswood stop between Kilnamanagh and Kingswood

Speaking on behalf of the Kingswood Residents’ Association, Peter Fitzpatrick told The Echo that residents believe that the crossing is “very dangerous”.

According to Mr Fitzpatrick: “The crossing is located beside the Kingswood Luas stop and was already busy with pedestrians, particularly in the morning and evening, before the addition of Kingswood Community College.

“[The college] already has 600 students and in a few shorts years will hit 1,000 students.

“The space for pedestrians on the footpath, particularly on the Luas stop side is tight and, while they shouldn’t, teenagers often venture into the middle of the road, protected by cars waiting to turn right into Kingswood, before seeing if they can make a quick dash to the other side.

“Traffic is permitted to travel, straight through the junction, which again is a good thing on a very busy road, but the cars travel at speed and visibility for pedestrians is poor.”

He added: “Residents are genuinely concerned that an accident will happen.

“We’re just asking the council to take some action whether it be flashing amber lights, a zebra crossing or rumble strips to slow down traffic.

“We’re not talking huge expense here, just some steps to make it safer… and to alert drivers to the potential danger.

“I don’t think motorists are aware of how busy that crossing is.

“We’ve also suggested a count-down timer to encourage children to wait [for the green man].”

When contacted by The Echo, Mary Maguire, of the council’s Land Use, Planning and Transport-ation department, said that this matter has been considered at various Traffic Management meetings.

Ms Maguire said: “The council is satisfied that visibility is adequate at this junction, and noting that there are two pedestrian crossings of the junction (one on either side of Sylvan Drive) the footpaths are adequate to facilitate numbers, subject to pedestrians exercising courtesy to fellow users and lining up orderly to cross.

“I can confirm that the footpath on the Luas side is not in council ownership.

“The issue of speed and adherence to speed limits is a matter for An Garda Síochána.”

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