Safety at busy Limerick junction a priority for local councillor

FINE Gael councillor Liam Galvin has promised to pursue road safety at Reen’s Pike, a busy junction on the N21 between Newcastle West and Rathkeale.

At this month’s Newcastle West Municipal District meeting, Cllr Galvin asked for a low cost safety scheme to be applied there, to include signage, road markings and lighting.

He was told by senior executive engineer Seamas O’Reilly that new road markings have been designed by the TII as part of the overall N21 route plans, but that there doesn’t appear to be any justifications for lighting in the area.

Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Cllr Galvin said that road safety was a constant issue on the doorsteps during his election campaign.

“If we are to be serious about reducing road deaths and road accidents, let’s eliminate these dangerous junctions once and for all.”

He pointed out that the road sees a huge volume of traffic and has a 100km/hour speed limit.

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“A proper job needs to be done there and it’s going to cost huge money, no doubt about that. Works were done on Ward’s Cross and it has been described as life-changing. Let’s make this life-changing for the people near Reen’s Pike,” Cllr Galvin said.

He said that he will continue to bring it up at meetings and to the attention of council officials.

Cllr Galvin said that while Reen’s Pike doesn’t officially come into his electoral area, it is of huge concern to his constituents.

He acknowledged money ring-fenced for Lee’s Cross, which has junctions going to Newcastle West, Castletown, Granagh, Kilmallock and Ballingarry and said dangerous junctions like this and Reen’s Pike need works.