Is this ‘the most dangerous street in Carlow’

URGENT action is needed on what was described as “the most dangerous street in Carlow”.

Cllr Ken Murnane raised the issue of Chapel Street, Graiguecullen at last Thursday’s meeting of Carlow Municipal District, demanding that the council take action and implement traffic-safety measures on the street.

“Divert the traffic from Chapel Street and make it one-way; it is without doubt the most dangerous street in Carlow,” claimed cllr Murnane.

“The residents there are left with no option but 50% of the time to put their cars up on the footpath. I was told last year that an application had gone in for something to be done at Chapel Street, now I’m told it’s next year … what is happening?” demanded cllr Murnane.

Cllr Paul Doogue suggested that “even a pilot scheme” should be introduced at Chapel Street to improve matters and agreed that there was “nowhere for residents to park”.

Acting director of services Kieran Cullinane confirmed that Chapel Street was included in the Carlow/Graiguecullen Area Plan, but said the “business case would have to be made” to be successful in securing funding for any project, adding that entering into the process of designing a project was “not something done willy-nilly”.

Cllr Murnane once again demanded that something needed to be done.

Mr Cullinane stated that any plan, even a pilot or trial one, involved due process, including design and public consultation. He further stated that there is also the consideration of “displaced traffic”, adding that if traffic moves off one street, questions had to be asked about what impact that would have on adjoining streets.