Motorists are playing a game of "Russian Roulette" with their lives when approaching an East Kerry junction.
That's according to Cllr. Maura Healy-Rae, who is calling on the National Roads Office to consult on the construction of a roundabout in place of the Shinnagh Cross junction.
Cllr. Healy-Rae claims that the National Roads Design Office (NDRO) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have expressed their preference for a traffic light system to be put in place at Shinnagh Cross.
However, Cllr. Healy-Rae says that a roundabout would be a "simpler, more elegant solution" to issues involving the junction.
She says a similar issue was solved at Ballymacquirk Cross in Co Cork, where access on a multi road junction was streamlined through the installation of a roundabout.
Speaking at a recent Killarney Municipal District meeting, she said that locals will attest to the frequency of accidents at the five-road junction, and that the lack of progress in assessing the situation is not satisfactory.
Cllr. Healy-Rae stressed that the junction was in the vicinity of several businesses, including Munster Joinery and the Cadbury's factory, and that the heavy volume of traffic has motorists second guessing their decisions and putting their lives at risk.
Cllr. Marie Moloney stated that the junction has long been a point of concern, and that the junction is particularly dangerous for motorists accessing the main road from the side junction.
She said that the roundabout at Lissivigeen Cross was met with similar resistance, however it is now considered a huge success.
A representative from Social Action Group Rathmore says that the community try to nurture independence in the aging population, however the junction deters many from driving.
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae is requesting a commitment from the NRDO to produce a basic map of the potential roundabout, stating that the request is a unanimous one from all councillors at Killarney MD.
Cllr. Niall Kelleher reflected on the history of accidents at Shinnagh Cross, recalling an incident involving his own grandfather, and stating that the sight lines need major improvements.
He stated that given the nature of the roads at the junction, a roundabout is the only possible solution, citing the Rock Road Roundabout as an example of a five-road roundabout that works.
Cllr. Brendan Cronin fully supports the motion, stating that the cross has been a local concern for over 25 years, and that the five legs of the junction make it "lethal".
