Vandals targeting traffic lights putting lives at risk – Crowe

Sinn Féin Councillor Seán Crowe has called on vandals who have twice
damaged traffic lights on Maplewood Road which are adjacent to the local
shops and close to Raheen / Whitebrook Estates to stop.

Cllr Seán Crowe said this is a vital piece of infrastructure for
residents living in Springfield, Raheen and Whitebrook Estates.

Following representations from Councillor Crowe the Council has
confirmed that workers will once again call out urgently to fix the
lights.

He said:

“There is huge concern locally that some unfortunate person, adult or
child, is going to be knocked down trying to get across the road.

“With children returning to schools in the area there is growing concern
that an accident will occur at this location.

“The Council’s Road Section has already called out to fix the lights on
two separate occasions only to see the lights signal box broken into and
vandalized.

“Following my representations they have promised to call out urgently,
once again to repair the damaged lights.

“I am publicly calling on those individuals engaged in the vandalizing
of this vital piece of safety infrastructure to stop. They are creating
an added danger to pedestrians that could conceivably lead to the loss
of life or serious injury to someone from this community.

“I have alerted the Garda Authorities about this matter and would urge
any local resident that sees individuals hanging around or interfering
with the pedestrian signal box to immediately call the Gardaí in the
Tallaght Station.” ENDS

Editor’s note: Below is the response from the Council to Councillor
Crowe’s representation regarding the damaged traffic lights.

Dear Councillor Crowe

Thank you for your email regarding the pedestrian lights on Maplewood
Road which are adjacent to the local shops and close to Raheen /
Whitebrook Estates.

These pedestrian lights have been the subject of repeated anti-social
attacks over the course of the last number of weeks despite being
repaired on a number of occasions over this period. Unfortunately they
continue to be the focus of unwanted attention. They were most recently
repaired yesterday, 4th January 2011.

The Council would welcome any assistance that the local community can
give to addressing this problem in view of the levels of both
pedestrian and vehicular traffic at this location.

Regards

Philip Murphy