Kickham Street Crossing Danger; Residents Say Road Safety Works Must Be Finished Before Someone Is Seriously Injured
Residents of Kickham Street, Thurles, are calling for urgent action from Thurles Municipal District Council over what they believe has become a serious and growing danger to pedestrians, particularly older people, people with disabilities, and those who are visually impaired or blind.
Several tactile slabbed and paved areas were installed on Kickham Street last year, apparently to assist visually impaired and blind pedestrians when crossing the road. However, residents say that these areas, on their own, are not enough. They do little or nothing to slow down traffic, and in the absence of clear road markings, painted lines, or properly designated crossing areas, many drivers appear to be treating the improved street surface as an invitation to increase speed.
This is especially noticeable during the late evening and night-time, when traffic speeds are reported to be significantly higher and visibility is reduced. For local residents trying to cross the road, especially elderly people, what should be a simple daily task has become a frightening and dangerous ordeal.
The tactile paving may help identify a crossing point underfoot, but it does not by itself control traffic, slow vehicles, or clearly warn drivers that pedestrians are likely to cross at these points. Without completed road markings and visible crossing designations, pedestrians are left exposed, and motorists are given no clear visual instruction to reduce speed or behave with caution.
Residents are now asking a very simple question: why were these works started but not properly finished?
The situation is made even more concerning by the presence of Proflo access covers, measuring approximately 450 × 450 mm, located near the tactile slabbed areas. These covers were presumably installed to provide access to underground utilities while maintaining the continuity and visual safety of the tactile paving. Yet they now appear dormant, adding to residents’ concerns that this scheme has been left incomplete or neglected.
This is not a cosmetic issue. It is a road-safety issue. It is a pedestrian-safety issue. It is a disability-access issue. Most importantly, it is a potential danger-to-life issue.
Residents in the area have therefore come together to sign a petition requesting that Thurles Municipal District Council immediately complete the necessary painting of lines and road markings between the tactile slabbed areas already installed last year. These markings are needed to clearly designate safe crossing areas, alert drivers to pedestrian movement, and help regulate driver behaviour before a serious accident occurs.
Tipperary County Council’s own road-safety approach recognises the need to prevent fatalities and serious injuries, and local authorities have powers to provide traffic-calming measures such as road markings, signs, modified surfaces and other interventions to reduce speed and improve safety.
Kickham Street residents are not asking for anything unreasonable. They are asking for the job to be finished. They are asking for safe, visible, properly marked pedestrian crossing areas. They are asking that elderly residents, visually impaired pedestrians, children, and all local people be able to cross the road without fear.
The longer this issue is left unresolved, the greater the risk. Action is needed now, not after someone is injured.
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