Public meeting hosted with local residents at controversial rural junction

Deputy Martin Heydon, Chair of FG Parliamentary Party, and local correspondent/local election candidate Evie Sammon met with local residents at Perrystreet Crossroads in Ballymore Eustace on Saturday last, to discuss ongoing safety issues.

The junction is littered with broken car parts following several car crashes in recent months. In recent weeks, a more serious accident occurred with the road blocked for hours whilst emergency services attended the scene.

A driver sustained serious injuries albeit thankfully, no fatality occurred. In January last, local business woman Suzanne Byrne of Ballymore Boarding Kennels and Cattery raised the issue on social media, stating motorists seemed to be unaware of the right of way of drivers travelling the R411 from Ballymore Eustace to the N81 (Hollywood to Baltinglass route).

It has been suggested that drivers travelling the L2026 from the N81 (Silverhills Road) and driving towards the R413 to Kilcullen fail to observe the Stop sign.

“In fact, since the white lines have been repainted recently at the junction, there has been three accidents! Owing to a hump in the road coming from the Silverhills side, visibility is poor and it seems to be worse now than prior to the painting!” said Ms Byrne.

She also noted that until recently, the school bus carrying students from Dunlavin Community College actually stopped at the crossroads and another junction nearby.

"In Winter time, that’s in black darkness, and none of the students wear high viz vests or ought, it’s so dangerous”. Walking on the road is also dangerous, given the speed of motorists and lack of footpaths.

Evie Sammon, local correspondent for BME News on Facebook and a FG candidate in the local elections communicated the problems to Deputy Martin Heydon who wrote to Kildare County Council on the concerns of local residents.

Evie stated: “We had a really constructive meeting with residents of Perrystreet Crossroads last week. Deputy Heydon and I are in touch with Kildare County Council and local Gardaí about making these crossroads safer. As a local resident myself, I have taken on board all the views expressed by residents and totally understand their concerns. We will be feeding it back to the area engineer in Kildare County Council.

Deputy Heydon reiterated his support for the residents living locally and noted: “At least 22 local residents met with us on Saturday, at short notice. Evie and I heard their concerns and viewed it for ourselves. We will continue to work to make Perrystreet Crossroads safer for all who use it.”

He added Gardaí raised the issue with the Council at a recent meeting, and that Cllr Billy Hillis has a motion before the next meeting of the Naas area committee of KCC to keep the pressure on for safety measures to be implemented at these crossroads.

Several safety options were discussed in addressing the matter, stated Evie.

“ A ramp similar to the ones on the approach to the N81 at the top of the road were discussed and there was talk about cutting back the bank on the right hand side as it’s blocking the view for people coming from Silverhills” she stated

“But there needs to be a discussion with the landowner on that one. We discussed a four way stop but everyone agreed the issue was cars coming from Silverhills (L2026) and not being able to see the Stop sign until they were upon – they then struggle to brake on time and unfortunately, accidents occur.

“The ramps similar to N81 approach ones would help this and removing the bank would improve visibility”.

Featured photo shows Evie Sammon (right) with local residents at Perry Street crossroads near Ballymore Eustace last weekend