Revealed: Installation of safety barriers at popular Longford walkway would cost €160,000

A Fianna Fáil representative has called on the local authority to explore the possibility of installing road safety barriers at Gaigue, Ballinamuck and in Monaduff, Drumlish.

Councillor David Cassidy, who raised the issue at last week's Granard Municipal District meeting, described how "there is a significant drop off the roadway in close proximity to the existing Monaduff Walkway".

The local representative also called on Longford County Council to install raised speed ramps on both sides entering the village of Ballinamuck as a traffic calming measure where there is a significant issue with speeding.
Cllr Cassidy also requested that raised speed ramps should be installed on both sides of the community centre and at St Mary's National School in Drumlish where the same issue exists.

The motions were supported and seconded by Cllr Turlough McGovern.
District Engineer David Coppinger said that in relation to the possibility of installing road safety barriers at Gaigue, Ballinamuck and in Monaduff, Drumlish it was not feasible financially.

"The road design section designated safety barrier contractors to look at this and to make an initial assessment and they came back and said it would cost approximately €80,000 for 500 metres of safety barrier at the two locations and in addition another €80,000 would be needed for preparatory works such as land acquisition so you are looking at €160,000 for 500 metres of safety barrier.

"Clearly the current road maintenance budget will come nowhere near that, I think the entire budget is about €140,000 for regional roads.

"So the only possibility might be that we could apply for a specific improvement grant from the Department of Transport, however, there are many more locations like this," Mr Coppinger concluded.

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