Speed cameras only solution to dangerous Kerry junction that has ‘mind-boggling number of accidents’
The KerrymanA Kerry councillor has called for a fixed speed camera to be installed at an accident blackspot on the main road to Cork.
Councillor Niall O’Callaghan said handing out fines or points on drivers’ licences was the only way to solve the ongoing issue at the junction where the N22 Killarney to Cork road meets the R569 towards Kilgarvan by Loo Bridge.
The Poulgorm junction witnessed several collisions towards the end of last year and is regularly the location of minor accidents.
In October, over 1,000 people signed a petition highlighting the dangers at the junction which has been raised repeatedly over the years.
At a Killarney Municipal District meeting, Cllr O’Callaghan suggested speed cameras were the only solution to the problem of drivers passing the junction at high speeds.
Previous work by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been carried out around the intersection, with more signage and speed indicators, but the junction continues to pose hazards.
“We can put up everything we want but unless you’re going to get points on your licence or fines, it’s really not going to work,” said Cllr O’Callaghan.
“One or two people get caught on that fixed camera, the word gets out. The locals will slow down and if the locals slow down, anybody that doesn’t know the road will also slow down…I guarantee you’ll see results in a couple of days.”
While the section of the N22 has a 100km/h speed limit, locals have pointed out that there are several locations on the Cork side which have been reduced to 80km/h.
Councillor John O’Donoghue also alleged the junction was the only one of its size between Killarney and Cork City that doesn’t have lighting.
The TII had previously said lighting was “not suitable” for the blackspot, but Cllr O’Donoghue argued this was “no longer an acceptable excuse”.
Elected members further noted that the number of near misses were not recorded by TII and felt the agency remained in the dark about the true danger of the junction.
“Are we going to have to wait until we have a fatality on this,” asked Cllr O’Donoghue.
It is believed the junction also known as Poulgorm Bridge or Mick the Bridges has become even more dangerous since the opening of the Macroom bypass as there is an even heavier flow of traffic from Cork at speed.
It is particularly dangerous during summer months due to the increased volume and the lack of knowledge of the accident blackspot by tourists.
Michael O’Donoghue, a local resident at the MD meeting, said the sheer volume of traffic was a “grave concern” and suggested a slip lane introduced for left turn to Killarney from the Kilgarvan side, allowing traffic to get up to speed before converging.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen of huge proportions that no one wants to be thinking about,” he warned.
Padraig O’Sullivan, a resident who led the junction petition, said previously the way site was being ignored despite the number of accidents was “mind-boggling”.
"It has been an accident blackspot for years…it is being pushed off and some-one will be killed and then works will be done just like the situation in Glenflesk where a young woman tragically lost her life and then works were carried out."