Call for action on 'lethal' junctions on busy Mayo road

Castlebar councillors have backed a coroner’s calls for action on a deadly section of road.

A turnoff on the N5 near Castlebar, where an elderly driver suffered fatal injuries in a crash, should be designated an accident blackspot, a recent inquest was told. Calling for the designation of the accident location as “a blackspot”, Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald made a recommendation that “a box” should be provided (on the N5) near Windsor as well as an arrow for vehicles turning right.

“The lay-out is unsafe, unforgiving, and one mistake can have shocking consequences,” Cllr Harry Barrett told a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.

“I am calling on the council, and the relevant road authorities to act on the coroner’s comments and put safety measures in place for the people of Windsor,” he stated, after putting forward a motion on the issue.

The motion was backed by Cllr Barrett's council colleagues.

“I have been fed up over the years highlighting it and there are five or six other junctions along that road that are pure death traps,” said Cllr Ger Deere.

He said stacking lanes have previously been dismissed at the location but should be reconsidered.

“A stacking lane has to be put in for people trying to turn in the pitch dark into all these junctions. It’s a pity that it’s something the coroner had to highlight. Even the proper signage would help. It’s lethal. There seems to be one or two accidents at these junctions every week,” said Cllr Deere.

He also pushed for a roundabout to address the “chaotic” junction from Ballyvary to Straide on the N5. 

“Every week, maybe twice a week, there are accidents at that junction. It’s just crazy. Let the famous TII [Transport Infrastructure Ireland] not come up with the excuse that there is not enough space down there. There is. The whole junction needs to be looked at."