Until improvements are made to the “treacherous” Coolough road, the Galway City Council must put road safety signs in place as the safety of pedestrians using this road is “of paramount importance”.
This is the view of Cllr Terry O’Flaherty, who was this week informed that a Compulsory Purchase Order process for the lands at Crestwood has begun. The CPO is for the purpose of improvements to the Coolough road.
Money was allocated in the 2007 budget for road widening, footpaths, and public lighting for what many consider a dangerous stretch of roadway. However to date the council has not acquired this land.
Cllr O’Flaherty, who tabled a Notice of Motion to the Galway City Council to acquire the lands either by agreement or CPO, has welcomed the news that some progress is being made but is also frustrated by it.
“I am very disappointed that the purchase on this particular piece of land could not have been purchased by agreement,” she said, “as the CPO process is very tedious and long drawn out. I have been informed that it could take anything up to a year or more for this sale to be completed.”
Cllr O’Flaherty said up to 18 accidents have occurred on this “treacherous stretch of road over a 12 month period”.
“It is a miracle a serious accident has not occurred, with drivers flying through this section at completely inappropriate speed,” she said. “I have been making repeated representations for almost a year now to erect warning signs to alert motorists of the dangerous bends on this road, but to date the city council have taken no action to meet this request.
