Motorists using Merlin Lane to cut through the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital to get access onto the main Dublin Road is “totally unacceptable” and a danger to staff and local residents.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil Cllr Mary Leahy, who has written this week to management within the HSE requesting that this issue gets immediate attention.
Following a serious road traffic accident at the Dublin Road entrance to Merlin Park Cllr Leahy received a commitment from the Galway City Council to undertake a review of the entrance’s design/layout.
In the meantime she is calling on the HSE to “exercise its responsibility” and install a controlled access system, such as an electronic key pass, at the rear entrance to the hospital which is accessed from Merlin Lane in Doughiska.
This is because many motorists use Merlin Lane to cut through the hospital grounds to get access onto the main Dublin Road but Cllr Leahy said such ‘rat running’ is “totally unacceptable”.
“The residents of Merlin Lane are becoming increasing frustrated as they cannot get out of their properties in the morning,” she said. “Local children are at risk due to the volume and speed of traffic cutting through their lane.”
Cllr Leahy said: “Merlin Park Hospital is not designed as a throughway. There are safety risks to motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. I have no doubt that this uncontrolled rear access is contributing to the high accident statistics at the notorious front entrance on the Dublin Road. The HSE must take immediate action now to ensure that this access is used by HSE staff only.”
