21 April 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Clonakilty based Jim Daly TD (FG)
Cork South West, Fine Gael, Dáil Deputy Jim Daly has been making representations to Cork County Council, District Supervisor, Edmond Coleman with regard to road safety issues in Kinsale.
Deputy Daly has heard numerous concerns from his constituents regarding road safety in the town, particularly from cyclists. The main causes for concern are the manhole covers along the very busy and heavily trafficked junction at Pearce Street. Daly explains that “the manhole covers along this route are old and are coming to the end of their life span, although this may not strike as major concern at first glance, they are in fact a health and safety worry.” Many road users have contacted the Deputy and stated that it is not until they are cycling or driving over the manholes that they realise there is no grip due to everyday wear and tear, often resulting in near-miss accidents.
Deputy Daly has been lobbying the Council to amend this issue before an unnecessary accident occurs at one of the six manholes at this junction. Mr Coleman has told the Deputy that the Council have agreed it would be best to upgrade all of the manhole covers; however the work would have to be done at night and also involve road closures and diversions. The Council have advised the Deputy that “as we are now into the busy period in Kinsale for the summer we will put this operation off until later in the year. In the meantime the Council have sourced a specialist product that can be applied to the metal manhole covers.” This is an anti-slip product and will keep the issue at bay until such a time that the covers are replaced. Any loose or rocking covers will also be fixed when applying this anti-slip solution. Deputy Daly thanked the Council for their proactive and efficient approach to this resolve this issue.
