Traffic safety concerns and churned-up verges at the ad hoc drop-off point for the Mercy secondary school in Kilbeggan are to be a thing of the past after the council confirmed that work was to be done here over the summer.
This came to light following a question from Cllr Ger Corcoran at the March meeting of the Kilbeggan Area Committee this week.
“It’s madness here,” was how he described the makeshift area opposite the school where all the drop-off and pick-up traffic had totally destroyed the soft verge.
“My office is currently arranging funding and a design. It is anticipated the works will be carried out during the school summer break,” confirmed area engineer Pat Nally.
“This would be very welcome,” said Cllr Corcoran, who has been pushing for this to be done for a number of months.
Following a second question of his, it was revealed that safety mirrors at blind bends or concealed gates have no statutory basis in law.
After a number of representations, the councillor had sought the implementation of a number of safety measures at a series of bad bends and poor sight lines on a minor road off the old Kilbeggan-Tyrellspass road, behind the old Fabricast site, and asked for both warning signs and mirrors.
However, in reply to his request Mr Nally told him: “Westmeath County Council does not erect mirrors as they do not have a statutory basis”, but conceded that he would review the road to see if warning signs were appropriate.
Cllr Corcoran also enquired about the perceived safety of an elderly bridge in Brownscurragh off the Tullamore road where he believed “the keystone is moving”.
“This bridge has been inspected and does not appear to be in imminent danger, however I am arranging for a more comprehensive report from a bridge consultant [engineer],” said Pat Nally.
He explained how this type of bridge was built using limestone mortar and that these “were designed to move a bit”.
