Councillor calls for the resignation of the board of state body
Cllr Mark Duffy has called for the resignation of the board of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
A local councillor has called for the resignation of the board of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) because of "continued incompetence" in its handling of road projects in Mayo.
Independent Cllr Mark Duffy strongly criticised the board of TII, the state agency that deals with road and public transport infrastructure, citing a litany of issues and called for the immediate resignation of its members.
“The TII’s oversight has led to continued incompetence in various projects across Mayo,” he said.
Among the issues that Cllr Duffy has highlighted include safety concerns along the N5.
“There is an alarming frequency of accidents at junctions along the N5 from Swinford to Bohola and there is a need for immediate safety measures.
“I would propose the installation of fixed speed cameras as a temporary solution to address speeding and enhance motorist safety until a permanent resolution is implemented.”
He described the Westport to Castlebar dual carriageway project as "problematic" due to recurrent closures and hazardous junctions, as well as poor use of signage causing confusion among motorists.
In his own municipal district of Ballina, Cllr Duffy expressed concern over "persistent" delays in upgrading the N26 in north Mayo, despite long-standing calls from the public.
He said that local projects have been mismanaged, such as the prolonged completion of a pedestrian crossing on Tolan Street in Ballina and the lack of consultation with local representatives on this issue.
In addition, he criticised the delays in addressing resurfacing works on the Sligo Road in Ballina, adding that there have also been ongoing safety issues on the town’s bridge roads.
“There are inadequate pedestrian safety measures, worn-out line markings and insufficient lighting and urgent attention is needed to address these safety concerns,” he said.
He called for the resignation of the board of the TII and the redirection of TII funding towards local authorities to ensure that the needs of local communities are met with regard to road infrastructure, road safety infrastructure and public transport.
“I strongly advocate for the resignation of the TII board. Their departure is crucial for the effective management of major infrastructure projects in Mayo.
“Funding needs to be redirected to local decision-making to ensure that the priorities of the community are addressed promptly and efficiently.”
