Councillors call for urgent work on ‘very dangerous’ road in south Dublin
Councillors have agreed on a plan to improve a “dangerous” 660-metre stretch of road in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Hillcrest Road, which runs between Lambs Cross and Kilgobbin Road, was described as a “white-knuckle ride”.
The planned improvements will see new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, in addition to new lighting and widening of the road for commuters.
Green Party Councillor Oisín O’Connor said the plan has been “a long time coming”.
“I have walked, cycled and driven along this road and I have seen it for myself. It’s a white-knuckle ride,” he said.
“Even if you’re cycling and another cyclist is coming towards you, it feels like the roads are too narrow.
“This road is so dangerous to walk or cycle on, you have to take a 1.3km journey just to get around it. That’s a huge diversion for people using that road.”
During a public consultation, people called for a traffic management plan in the area and asked for speed ramps to be introduced on the route.
The Hillcrest Road Improvement Scheme will see the widening of the existing road and adding segregated footpaths and cycle tracks on both sides.
It will also include new public lighting, boundary works like walls and fencing, and other utilities.
Fine Gael Councillor Kazi Ahmed called for interim measures to be put in place urgently before the improvement works begin.
“I live in the area. In 2019, one constituent in my ward said she had broken her mirror three times driving on that road,” he said.
“We need to ensure the cycle lane and pedestrian crossing will fit within the plan as it exists.”
Fellow Fine Gael councillor Pierce Dargan echoed the sentiment, saying pedestrians and drivers alike have been asking for improvements to the road.
“There are multiple wing mirrors that have been broken on that route,” he said.
“If you try and push a pram down the sidewalk, I’m telling you, I did it once with my daughter and I’m not going to do it again.
“I believe it’s important to improve the road safety even in advance of the work commencing.”
Cllr O’Connor asked council management to put in traffic calming and other measures while the improvement works are carried out.