Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

When I was canvassing for the local and general elections last year, the need for measures to combat speeding in residential areas was one of the most pressing issues for constituents. In the local elections, it was probably one of the top three issues. Speed measures are essential for safety and quality of life. They provide a backdrop of calm in residential areas and give peace of mind to parents in particular in order that they do not have to be in a constant state of vigilance and threat when their children are playing outside. Speed ramps are often the only effective means of slowing down traffic, but they are like hen's teeth when it comes to getting them in my constituency. Despite this need, when it comes to advocating for these communities, it is generally a long struggle, sometimes over several years, to get a particular project onto the road safety programme. Those in many communities are left perplexed that they are enduring chronic safety hazards and noise pollution outside their front doors, with no end in sight.

I am thinking of one striking example of a group of residents on the Killeagh Road in the village of Mogeely. They have been so frustrated and concerned about road safety that some families were willing to consider diverting moneys from a playground upgrade fund for the village in order to prioritise traffic-calming measures. These are parents with young children. They should not have to be considering these kinds of trade-offs. At present, Cork County Council is not being granted sufficient funding by central government for these measures. As a result, many people are living with dangerous road conditions outside their homes. they are fearful for their children's safety and are obliged to endure constant noise pollution. I urge the Minister of State to provide much-increased funding for road safety measures, particularly speed ramps, to make our residential areas safer, quieter and more peaceful places to live.

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