'Death trap' Offaly road's speeding and traffic 'brought a sense of fear to our eyes'

SPEEDING and heavy traffic on the N52 between Tullamore and Kilbeggan brought a "sense of fear" to students of Durrow National School who conducted a survey there.

The students hope the fundings of the traffic survey will trigger the new Government into taking action on the "death trap road".

In a report on their findings, the students said: "The survey brought a sense of fear to our eyes and made us ask the question, 'why is the safety of people using this road not important?'

"People of all ages are at risk, especially when you have parents, grandparents, childminders and other people dropping and collecting students at the primary school and preschool /childcare services in our community."

The Student Council conducted the survey between 8am and 2.30pm on December 12 last and recorded 9.688 vehicles using the road in that 6.5 hour period.

The busiest period was between 8am and 9am when 2,289 vehicles used the road, with 1,930 road users being recorded at lunchtime, from 1pm to 2.30pm.

From their findings the students estimate that up to 20,000 vehicles use the roadway in any 24 hour period.

They plan to submit the findings to Government as part of an extensive portfolio making the case for work to start on the long-awaited link road there.

"They (the students) were mesmerised by the results and the chronic risks caused by speeding they witnessed at first hand," Durrow N.S. Principal, James Hogan told the Tribune.

He said traffic was "bumper to bumper" on the road from 5.30am to 8am each morning, a period the survey did not cover.

In their report on the survey's finding, the student council recorded: "The heavy traffic brought risk to drivers, speed was frightening and the incline hill from Kilbeggan to Tullamore at the graveyard observed a lot of vehicles blowing horns at vehicles trying to join the road from our school.

"During the morning survey and between the times of 1pm to 2.30pm, extremely high amounts of fast moving vehicles were passing through, including trucks, vans, buses, cars, motorcycles and tractors.

"Inconsistent traffic speeds were observed which can cause serious accidents in less than a second, with some vehicles travelling at speeds perceived as unsafe for a school zone and kids passing the area.

"It appears that to navigate this road, junction and death trap, one has to take risk into their own lives and put the risk of all lives at hand to drive on the road. This is not safe and this is not what we do in Ireland. Action needs to be taken now.

"Estimate figures in reality would think that if you double the total figure above to cover the busy hours not surveyed, at a minimum, you would be counting 19,376 vehicles on the road. This is approximately 20,000 vehicles in one day. The N52 is not fit for that amount of traffic."

Last week the newly elected Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly, Deputy Tony McCormack said it is imperative the next Government prioritises the delivery of the N52 link road.

He said: “I have consistently highlighted the importance of delivering the N52 link road. Its delivery is absolutely necessary to address the issue of road safety in Offaly. 

"What we have at the moment is a dangerous situation for both the local community and commuters. There are serious dangers presented by the N52 between the N4 intersection at Kilbeggan and the Tullamore bypass, as the road is catering for thousands of vehicles more than its intended capacity.

"Delivering the N52 link road would tackle these dangers.With the new Government, there must be a complete overhaul of roads investment that leads to improved delivery on projects critical for road safety, including the N52 link road."

Last Wednesday a three-car collision took place on the N52 between Durrow and Kilbeggan ,at about 8am, which led to major tailbacks all morning.