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Children regularly being 'thrown' from buggies in Dungarvan's Grattan Square

Children regularly being 'thrown' from buggies in Dungarvan's Grattan Square

Children are regularly being "thrown" from buggies in Dungarvan's Grattan Square, according to a local councillor.

Independent Cllr Joe O'Riordan expressed concern for the safety of users of the Square at this month's Dungarvan/Lismore District meeting of Waterford Council.

He says the gullies on the Square's footpaths are proving hazardous for many people, including those with disabilities.

He referenced the experience of a man "who was nearly thrown out of his wheelchair".

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"Children have regularly been thrown out of buggies," he added.

"Anybody with a walking aid can easily fall or the aids can get stuck in the gullies."

Responding, Senior Engineer (Roads) Gabriel Hynes said the curved drainage channels were designed in accordance with standards.

"I know they cause some issues for wheelchairs," he said.

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"It's  not easy to rectify. There's a considerable amount of work involved. It's not easy to put anything on top of them. There's no easy solution but I do acknowledge the issues you've raised."

Mr Hynes added: "If we were doing it again, we probably wouldn't put in those channels, but at the time that was the process."

Cllr O'Riordan also raised concerns in relation to the overall 'shared space' system which is in place in the Square.

"We had an accident lately at a courtesy crossing," he said. "It might be time to bite the bullet and put pedestrian lights at all of the crossings in the Square. Somebody is going to get hurt."

Mr Hynes said that a 30km/h speed limit is in place which should ensure injuries "aren't as severe".

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