Funding of €20,000 has been provided to carry out urgent safety works at a notorious county Clare road blackspot.
Local Fine Gael TD Joe Carey confirmed the funding has been allocated for works at Cree Bridge on the R483.
In a parliamentary question to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, Deputy Carey warned Cree Bridge is “extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists” and stressed the need for road safety works to get underway as soon as possible.
In response, Minister Ryan confirmed Clare County Council will receive €20,000 “for enhanced safety measures at Cree Bridge”. These works, which will include the installation of a yield system, new warning signage and the widening of the footpath, are due to get underway shortly.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Carey said: “This is very positive news for the local community. A small housing development that was built on land close to the bridge is home to several young families who regularly have to negotiate the very narrow structure, often with buggies. This poses a huge road safety risk to these young families.
“Anyone familiar with the area will know the bridge is a serious health and safety hazard, particularly if you’re cycling or walking, and I’m very pleased that the necessary funding for the works has been provided for.
“I look forward to the works getting underway as soon as possible to make the bridge safe for the local community and commuters.”
Deputy Carey has been making representations in relation to the bridge on behalf of the local community for more than a year.
Clare County Council submitted a formal application for Low Cost Safety 2020 funding to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for improvement works at Cree Bridge late last year.
