‘We are afraid somebody will be killed here’

Angry Longwood residents who are terrified by speeding traffic in the village have launched a campaign to have traffic calming measures installed.
Warning that someone will be killed if something isn’t done to slow down traffic, they point to a number of incidents of near misses and speeding vehicles have ignored traffic lights.
An incident in which a young boy fell after being pulled out of the way of a speeding car by his terrified mother has been cited as just one of the many incidents that have spurred the residents into action.

The Slow Down for Longwood Campaign are holding a meeting tonight (Tuesday) at 8pm in Stoneys bar in Longwood.
“We are asking all residents who have been affected by speeding or have an interest, to attend so we can update them on the situation,” says spokesperson, Gillian Eustace.
“We have been pursuing the Council and Gardai for over 18 months now, but to little avail.

“The village is very busy - there are trucks diverting through Longwood to avoid tolls on the M4, the M3, the M50, we are in between several quarries and we now have two new schools on the main road.
“It is crazy how busy the village has become, and a lot of drivers just speed through it.”
“We are afraid somebody will be killed. You can see the damage on the side of the footpath where lorries have mounted the kerb.

“There are loads of stories of near misses and we feel that the Council isn’t taking us seriously.
She said they have asked for speed ramps but were told that it would impede ambulances and fire brigades, but she points out that there are ramps in towns like Enfield and Trim.
“We would appreciate any type of traffic calming measures, but ultimately we would love to have a bypass and a HGV ban. 
“Gillian explains that there are plans for a relief road, but that would be developer driven and linked to planning permissions, so it would be some time before it was built.”

Sarah Harten had a terrifying experience when walking home from school with her children one afternoon.
“My daughter was in her buggy and my son was on his flicker (a type of scooter). We were crossing the road to the Oakleigh estate and were at the traffic lights.
“The green man came on. My son was a little in front of me and I suddenly saw the car coming and realised it wasn’t going to stop. 
“I grabbed Ben and pulled him and the buggy back and Ben fell. The car kept going and swerved to the kerb on the other side. He put his foot on the brake but kept on going.

“I got the registration and reported it to the Gardai and he later apologised. If I hadn’t managed to pull Ben back, he would have been killed.
“It is very scary to walk through he village. It is an accident waiting to happen,” she says.
Elayne Lowery Feerick says she is afraid she’ll be wiped off the road some day.
“I live beside the main street and it is terrifying trying to get out of my car.”