Dlrcoco dlac (ptw) (item 22) (01 12 14)

Agenda ltem 22

MEETING OF DON LAOGHAIRE AREA COMMITTEE 1"t December 2O14 ROAD SAFETY, KILLINEY HILL ROAD, BALLYBRACK

Question: Councillor

M. Merrigan

.'To ask the Chief Executive to conduct a safety audit of the junction of Killiney Hill Road and Military Road in Ballybrack to ascertain whether the current signage junction adequately and unambiguously indicates which roadway has priority at this provide would Road and to examine whethei the erection of Stop Signs on Military junction?" dangerous at this ior greater road safety for pedestrians and vehicles

Reply: ..A Four Way Stop was implemented at the junction of Killiney Hill Road and Military junction for all road Road in 2010 as a road safety measure to improve safety at this

users. The junction is located on a very steep part of Killiney Hill Road between Ballybrack Viltag" and Killiney Dart station and in close proximity to a school. Sight linei are restricted atthe junction due to high granite boundary walls, trees, and the curvature of the road. Tiris junction was identified by D(n Laoghaire Rathdown Co. Council as a location to be treated as a priority for road safety improvements due to its accident history. A number of design options were considered to include a mini roundabout and traffic signals. However it was concluded, that neither of these options junction' could be achieved within the current restricted land take at the

At a Four Way Stop, traffic is to come to a complete Stop and only to proceed through the junction when it is safe to do so. A STOP sign is fully defined within the road t-raffic llgislation. The previous junction layout had priority for traffic on Killiney Hill Road. Vehicles on Military Road had to stop before proceeding and because of the restricted sight lines were often forced to pull forward into the junction to view oncoming traffic.

The Rules of the Road state: ,,If you are at a junction where the roads are of equal importance, the traffic on your righ't has right of way. You must let that traffic pass before moving on. It is iriportant io understand that the right of way is not an absolute right. You must proceed with caution while showing regard for other users of the road."

Therefore drivers will have to make a judgement as to when it is safe for them to move through the junction, similar to every other STOP sign in the country' Following review, and discussions with the NRA and the Gardai, it was decided to implement the Four Way Stop for the following reasons:

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To reduce vehicle speeds through the junction

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junction To improve safety for pedestrians - pedestrians were crossing this to carriageway the on stand often lines diagonally, and due to restricted sight a have to them allows Stop Way Four The get-a view'of oncoming traffic. ilear view of all the Stop lines from a safe position on the footpath'

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junction to get a Restricted sight lines - vehicles were pulling out into the gives drivers a clear view of all view of oncoming traffic. The Four way stop them increased time allows the other Stop liies from their Stop position, and to proceed decision the make to make the decision to assess traffic and to through the junction.

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To reduce accident numbers.

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To reduce the severity of accidents via a significant reduction in speeds. By instructing vehicles to come to a stop at the junction, vehicle speeds through the junction are reduced,

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The scheme was advertised and put on non-statutory public consultation prior to Laoghaire County Hall and Dalkey Library for a period of fo-ur weeks DLRCC Area the at Councillors presented to also impiementation in 2010 and was with in consultation DLRCC by junction monitored is being committee Meeting. The contributed has and satisfactorily operating it is that considered the Gardai and it is

to improving the safety of this junction for all road users"' Contact:

John Broderick, Senior Executive Engineer, Traffic Section'

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