Traffic-calming plea for danger bend in Carlanstown

A warning that lives will be lost at a dangerous bend at the entrance to Carlanstown village has been issued by local residents who say that countless accidents have occurred there in recent weeks. Fears that someday somebody will be killed there have led to calls for traffic-calming measures at the bend. Padraig McGuinness, who lives on the bend, says he has his boots and a torch on standby every night in case he has to help somebody who has been involved in an accident there. Since he moved into his home last August, he has gone out to help people involved in accidents at least eight times. 'My fear is that, one day, it will be a fatality. There was a very serious accident there over Christmas and I thought there was a young woman dying before my eyes,' he said. On one night recently, he helped out after three accidents at the corner. Mr McGuinness said that hedges have been mowed down by skidding cars and fences and walls knocked over on a regular basis. He said the bend needed to be designated an 'accident blackspot" and serious traffic measures should be introduced there. 'We need something like they have provided in Carnaross. Unfortulately, there were a number of fatal accidents there before the measures were put in place. I hope we don"t have to have a death here in Carlanstown before we get the traffic-calming measures,' he added. Deputy Shane McEntee called also called for traffic-calming measures for the village. 'A number of Carlanstown residents have contacted me regarding the speed of traffic passing through the village. They also pointed out that a number of accidents have occurred over the last few months. It is crucial that traffic-calming measures are put in place, especially at the Kells side of the village. I will be contacting Micheal Finnegan, the Road Safety Officer in Meath County Council, and asking him to come out to the village to view this for himself,' said Deputy McEntee. Meath County Council spokesman Bill Sweeney said that the road surface there is now asphalt with excellent skid resistance properties. 'Due to weather and logistical constraints, the line marking has not been reinstated by the contractor who is still responsible for the site. I would anticipate this will be done over the next few days,' said Mr Sweeney.