Call to lower speed limit on busy Mayo road

The existing speed limit of 100km/h on the N59 Westport to Newport Road is too high and should never have been set at higher than 80km/h, according to a local councillor. 

Independent Cllr John O’Malley told the June meeting of Westport Belmullet Municipal District that "there is awful speed on this road".

"Just recently, there was a very bad accident - a head-on collision - on a straight piece of the road. We need either a speed truck or gardaí to be put on that road to check those people who are speeding morning, noon and night. 

"No part of this road should be over 100km, it should be 80km all the way. An awful lot of it has a solid line anyway and people are saying that while we may have upgraded the road, there are more accidents on it now.” 

The head of the municipal district Seamus Ó Mongáin told Cllr O’Malley that enforcement in relation to speeding was the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. He also noted that the National Roads Office had already provided a report confirming that the road is at a design standard for the 100km/h speed limit.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.