A proposed speed limit increase in Athleague has been described as 'absolute madness' by local community groups.
It comes as part of a review by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to lower the speed limit from the village to Mount Talbot from 100km per hour to an 80km zone.
While this reduction is welcome and supported, it would see the current limit of 60km increased to 80km per hour from the Centra shop in Athleague to the graveyard.
Local business man Bernard Keane says locals are opposed to this increase.
he described the stretch as dangerous and narrow with people already taking their life's in their hands when using the road
He's calling on councillors to support locals in their efforts to stop the change in speed in Athleague.
''There's no issue with it becoming an 80km zone from the graveyard on. The N63, there's 3,500 vehicles going through the village every single day. It's a very narrow stretch of road. It's the only access people have to get to the graveyard, one lady has to get a taxi to the graveyard to visit her husband's grave. We've taken our views to our local councillors and in fairness, every one of them have supported us. I hope that the powers that be will listen to them.''
It's expected councillors will take a vote on the issue at the December or January plenary meeting.
Councillor Emer Kelly says the concerns of the community must be listened to.
''I know from speaking with the members in the community over the past number of days, business owners don't want to see the increase. Local people in the village don't want to see the increase. So it's very important that we listen to the community on this and support them and ensure that this increase in speed limit does not happen and that they remain as low as possible within the village. From speaking with the engineers it will be either the December or January plenary meeting depending on when it available and ready, hopefully it won't have to go to a vote.''
