Cheval de Frise
Cheval de Frise [Frisian horse] was a medieval anti-cavalry measure consisting of projecting spikes; it was designed to defend against horse mounted warriors or more specifically to cause harm to them. I don’t ride horses but do ride motorcycles, being mindful that in so choosing it makes me a vulnerable road user who must be alert to increased risk. Motorcyclists do not welcome the tensioned steel wire barriers as used in Ireland on some motorways & dual carriageways; they are colloquially referred to as “cheese cutters”. A number of EU, countries have outlawed their use.
If well maintained they remain hazardous to motorcyclists but in Kerry they are frequently damaged compounding their menace. The photograph was taken on the Tralee bypass yesterday [May 8th].
Over the years, such damage has occurred on the Tralee & the Castleisland bypass. I notify Kerry County Council by e mail if damage is evident - weeks may pass before I use either road & notice the issue. The damaged uprights are replaced but frankly not as promptly as I would wish.
Last October I had e mail correspondence with the Municipal District Engineer, Tralee District, Kerry County Council; about previous Tralee bypass barrier damage. I notified this person about the new situation [as photographed] on April 18th; my e mail was not acknowledged & the “Cheval de Frise” remains in place three weeks later.
The use of these barriers should be critically reviewed; in the interim leaving exposed spikes oriented to maximise their destructive capacity is extremely reckless. The primary issue here is not the non acknowledgement of my e mail; it is that roadside “furniture” could be left in such a dangerous state. Ideally I’d like to see these barriers banned, but until then local authorities should not be depending on the likes of me to notify them of damage; a regular routine inspection system should be in place allied to a prompt repair regime. Currently neither is evident.
Cheval de Frise [Frisian horse] was a medieval anti-cavalry measure consisting of projecting spikes; it was designed to defend against horse mounted warriors or more specifically to cause harm to them. I don’t ride horses but do ride motorcycles, being mindful that in so choosing it makes me a vulnerable road user who must be alert to increased risk. Motorcyclists do not welcome the tensioned steel wire barriers as used in Ireland on some motorways & dual carriageways; they are colloquially referred to as “cheese cutters”. A number of EU, countries have outlawed their use.
If well maintained they remain hazardous to motorcyclists but in Kerry they are frequently damaged compounding their menace. The photograph was taken on the Tralee bypass yesterday [May 8th].
Over the years, such damage has occurred on the Tralee & the Castleisland bypass. I notify Kerry County Council by e mail if damage is evident - weeks may pass before I use either road & notice the issue. The damaged uprights are replaced but frankly not as promptly as I would wish.
Last October I had e mail correspondence with the Municipal District Engineer, Tralee District, Kerry County Council; about previous Tralee bypass barrier damage. I notified this person about the new situation [as photographed] on April 18th; my e mail was not acknowledged & the “Cheval de Frise” remains in place three weeks later.
The use of these barriers should be critically reviewed; in the interim leaving exposed spikes oriented to maximise their destructive capacity is extremely reckless. The primary issue here is not the non acknowledgement of my e mail; it is that roadside “furniture” could be left in such a dangerous state. Ideally I’d like to see these barriers banned, but until then local authorities should not be depending on the likes of me to notify them of damage; a regular routine inspection system should be in place allied to a prompt repair regime. Currently neither is evident.
