Speeding problem signalled on Virginia to Ballyduff road

Speed vans are needed on the Virginia to Ballyjamesduff Road to deter speeding.

This was the opinion expressed by independent councillors at a recent meeting of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District. The motion was raised by Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly (Ind) who insisted something needed to be done to improve road safety.

The speed limit reduces from 80km/h to 50km/h due to children crossing at St Clare’s Secondary School, however, Cllr O’Reilly observed that many drivers fail to abide by the speed limit. He requested an increase in garda presence or speed vans to deter motorists from speeding.

Supporting the motion, Fine Gael Councillor TP O’Reilly said while driving down “piggery hill, as it’s known, people tend to put down the boot”.

He believed a speed van “for two to three weeks” would act as a deterrent.

Fianna Fáil Philip Brady also supported the motion.

In response, Senior Executive Officer John McGahern stated the council will increase signage in the area once road works have been completed.

“It just didn’t make sense to do it months ago before the resurfacing was complete,” he said.

Mr McGahern believed that the bad bends on the route into town should have acted like a “natural speeding deterrent” and outlined there was only “one small straight from the last bend to Skellys”.

In relation to the idea of increased garda presence or introducing speed vans, Mr McGahern suggested raising the issue at the next Joint Policing Committee Meeting, and suggested the only challenge would be to “find a safe place to pull in” for the speed van.

While outlining possible issues with lines of sight, the engineer stated “even if it detected nothing, it would be a deterrent”.