‘If nothing is done, there will end up being a fatality’

SIGNS Rathmolyon residents fear somebody is going to be killed if urgent measures aren’t taken to improve safety at busy village junction

A SPATE of recent accidents, including one where a motorist hit the bumper of a lorry and was just a split second away from ending up under it, has prompted locals to call for a fresh review of the junction in Rathmolyon.

There were three accidents at the junction in recent weeks - including one where both cars were written off - according to local shopkeeper Christy Ryan who fears somebody is going to be killed if something isn't done.

Just this weekend, two motorists were lucky to escape injury after a collision where a van ended up on its side.

Mr Ryan said: "Again it was a miracle that no-one was injured.

There have been three other accidents recently where the people involved were so lucky.

“One woman hit the front bumper of a lorry. If it had been one second earlier, or even half a second she would have been under that lorry. Her life was hanging on that one second. It is as serious as that.”

Meath County Council's Road Safety Officer Michael Finnegan visited Rathmolyon in recent weeks and is preparing a report on what additional measures could be carried out to improve safety.

It is understood that among the suggestions from locals are ramps and traffic lights and these options will be considered as part of the review.

Mr Ryan told the Meath Chronicle how cars regularly break the stop sign coming from the Trim Road and that many people don't seem to see the sign.

Safety measures, including a flashing sign and rumble strips were put in some years ago, which Mr Ryan said worked well for a while but more is needed.

“Now with the increase in traffic volumes, the risk of collision has doubled or trebled. There needs to be a major review of what is going on there. Most people who break the stop sign, say they didn't see it even though there is a stop sign there.”

He commented that people's eyes may be drawn to the continuous wall rather than the signage.

“I feel for the people driving. It is not that they are chancing their arm. The message is not hitting home that they are hitting a major junction.”

“My fear is that one day I will go out the door and see somebody local killed or seriously inuured. If nothing is done, there will end up being a fatality.”

He wants to see measures that will slow down traffic and for a full scheme with traffic calming to be carried out.

Rathmolyon Community Group chairperson George Hughes said discussions are ongoing about putting in extra measures but nothing would happen this year, and they hope to get works included in next year's council budget. He said they had discussed pedestrian crossings and traffic lights at the crossroads.

Mr Hughes believes there is ample signage but that people are still driving through the crossroads. “There is a lack of concentration when driving. People are going too fast through the village, and this is common across Meath no matter what village you stand in.”

A Council spokesperson said they are aware of reports of recent accidents at Rathmolyon and would review the junction.

“While the council has previously installed additional safety measures at this junction including the use of electronic warning signs, the council will review the junction further to determine what other safety measure might be appropriate to provide further warning to motorists of the regulatory stop sign at the junction,” she said.

Cllr Noel French said it is concerning that accidents are still happening at the junction.

“When it was last discussed at Council level, I suggested staggering the junction, but at that time it was decided to put in warning lights and rumble strips on the Trim Road. It is a dangerous junction and drivers do have to be very careful.”

Cllr French added that the Council's transport section has examined the junction and is looking at measures, on the Trim side to slow down traffic.

“Accidents seem to continue happening at the junction despite the efforts of Meath County Council to make it safer,” he said.