Calls are being made for increased Government investment in Clare’s roads infrastructure, after a new study raised safety concerns about one of the county’s busiest roads.
New data suggests there are more road crashes on sections of the N67, than many other areas across the country.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland routinely compiles data on traffic volumes and accidents across Ireland’s national and secondary routes, as well the country’s motorway infrastructure.
Now Gamma Location Intelligence has analysed that data and has found that of the country’s 20 most dangerous stretches of road, four are here in Clare.
All of those are along the N67, which runs along the county’s coastline.
The blackspots identified are stretches of the road near Doonbeg, Quilty, Spanish Point and Lisdoonvarna.
And while a small number of crashes in areas with relatively low amounts of traffic can see locations rank high on the list, the fact that all four areas are on the one road has given rise to concern, and calls for more investment.
Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says that’s needed on this busy tourist route.
Doonbeg businesswoman and Fianna Fáil General Election candidate Rita Mc Inerney believes the findings highlight a need for consistency in the maintenance of roads.
She fears that results of this type could impact on insurance costs for road users, and that people living locally may be penalised.
Today, Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s told Clare FM that its improvement programme is funded through the Department of Transport, Tourism.
The national body says it’ll work with Clare County Council in seeking funding for road safety improvements schemes, across the national road network in this county.
