Businesses in Mayo town are 'losing money' due to traffic backlogs

Businesses in Ballina are losing customers due to traffic delays, a local councillor has claimed.

Cllr John O’Hara has called for a special meeting between Ballina Municipal District, representatives from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Minister Dara Calleary, Senator Mark Duffy and the Ballina Chamber of Commerce to discuss the backlog of traffic coming through Ballina and how the issue can be resolved.

“The traffic is getting worse and worse," Cllr O'Hara told last week's municipal district meeting. "Traffic is always backed up 300 or 400 yards at busy times and you can’t get through town.

“Our businesspeople are losing business hand over fist. People in Knockmore and Bonniconlon are going to Tesco in Swinford because it's more convenient. No one will go to a town where it takes an hour to get in and out for any shopping or materials.”

He said that constructing another bridge across the river Moy to connect the Foxford Road to the Sligo Road would be “the only way out of this”.

A new bridge over the Moy is planned as Phase 2 of the Ballina Bypass, but is not yet a live project with the TII. Cllr Marie-Therese Duffy said she was concerned over long delays in the bypass project due to environmental reasons.

“The bridge is at Stage 0 for scope and pre-appraisal and there will be a lengthy process to carry out environmental studies to cross a river. Why can’t we start this processes as soon as possible?

“We want timelines for these projects. Everyone is frustrated sitting in their cars for hours. This is urgently needed for Ballina.”

Phase 1 of the Ballina bypass is set to link the Foxford Road to Crossmolina Road and has an estimated completion date of 2029.

“It is crucial to get this up and running,” said Cllr Michael Loftus. “There is a 2029 completion date. I’ll have a few more grey hairs by then, we need to start the process, it is a priority to get this done.”

Councillors agreed to write to TII, Minister Calleary, Senator Duffy and the local Chamber of Commerce to arrange the meeting.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.