Another accident at Thompson's Cross

The road junction at Thompson's Cross claimed yet another accident last evening, though fortunately without injuries.

But it is 'only a matter of time' until there is a fatality, according to local gardai quoted at this morning's Athy Area meeting of Kildare County Council.

Cllr Martin Heydon, who has made repeated calls for action at the junction, a location of many crashes since it was opened as part of the M9 works, said it was 'a miracle' that nobody was badly hurt or killed last night.

The most recent accident involved a car and horsebox which overshot the stop line at the junction and ended up in the ditch across the Athy Road.

"This crash comes after I highlighted to officials of the National Roads Design Office (NRDO) of five other car accidents that had been reported to the Gardaí for this area on September 18t, October 21, November 9 and 20 along with December 19th last," Cllr Heydon told the Council meeting.

When Cllr Heydon asked for the NRDO to publish a recent safety audit carried out at this junction he was informed that it was the recommendation of the NRDO official not to publish this audit to members and the public. "The perception here, in light of so many recent accidents, is that the safety audit has shown deficiencies that have not been acted upon," he says. "There is serious local concern that someone will be killed at this junction if action is not taken straight away. I call on the NRDO to publish this report immediately."

Meanwhile, local resident Sabina Reddy who has actively campaigned for changes to be made to the junction, wrote again to KCC this morning. "I must say it has been helpful somewhat with the new line markings made recently," she says. "But not enough is being done to warn cars coming from the Ballitore direction of an upcoming junction. I feel a series of signs asking persons that are driving to "slow down" and "junction ahead" should be in place. The ideal solution would be a roundabout instead of the cross junction but sufficient warning should be made of what is ahead."

UPDATE: Sabina received a reply from the Council late this afternoon saying that they would 'take up the matter with the NRA'. "As you rightly point out many of the problems are as a result of excessive speed," Council official Michael O'Leary said. "A roundabout would do little to improve the situation, however more signage may help."