Funding sought for road safety works in Brideswell area

Government funding is being sought for road safety improvements in the Brideswell and Cam areas of South Roscommon, including the removal of a "very dangerous bend" which has been the site of a number of accidents.

Curraghboy councillor Tony Ward brought a proposal before last month's meeting of the council's Athlone Municipal District seeking a pedestrian crossing on the R363 at Brideswell National School, along with 'driver feedback' speed signs on the same road and on the nearby L2023 in Brideswell.

In addition, he has been in contact with landowners in relation to the removal of a dangerous bend on the R363 at an area known locally as Looby's Cottage, between Brideswell and Cam.

"I have spoken to landowners to get their cooperation to take off that very dangerous bend. It's a location where there have been many accidents and it's lucky that nobody was killed because it's a very sharp and dangerous bend on a narrow road," said the Independent councillor.

When he raised the matter with the local authority recently, Cllr Ward was told that that the council would "apply for a Low Cost Safety Scheme in 2023, to the Department of Transport, to remove the bend subject to a land agreement being in place."

Cllr Ward said he was hopeful that the bend would be removed in 2023 and that the pedestrian crossing at Brideswell NS and the driver feedback signs on the road could be installed as part of that project.

"The pedestrian crossing would also be of benefit to older people who would want to cross that regional road going down to the shops. That's a challenge at the moment, with the traffic.

"The big concern is people speeding on that road. I know the appropriate (speed) signs are there at the minute, but they seem to be completely ignored," Cllr Ward added.