Councillor has 'no words' over junction works delay

A Westport councillor is in despair as to why Mayo County Council is not carrying out traffic management works at the Quay Road/Leenane Road junction, given that traffic delays at the site are only set to get worse with the busy summer tourism season ahead.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy told management at the April meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that he could not understand how the situation was being allowed to continue. 

“We have asked for this several times and to hear there are no plans for it, I really have no words. I don’t think anyone understands that junction. The fire brigade has to come out there on the wrong side of the road and traffic is built-up all out the Leenane Road. 

"I just don’t understand how this is allowed to continue with summer coming. I would have thought a roundabout or something would be put in. There is such a build-up of cars that people are taking chances coming out onto the Quay Road. This is Mayo County Council making this decision and yet it is their own fire service that will be affected by it.” 

Cllr John O’Malley agreed, saying: “When people come in from the West Road and turn left towards this junction, they can’t turn back, and then there is a line of traffic held up there. I often got held up for ages and ages and certainly, if the fire trucks have to get out and overtake the traffic, it is deadly dangerous. Maybe we can reverse the one-way on Tubber Hill and make Peter Street a two-way again. It is something that has to be looked at.” 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn said he was really disappointed to learn nothing is planned about the junction, adding: “It is just incredible. There has been a backing up of traffic there since Tubber Hill changed to a one-way and something is radically needed from both a pedestrian and motorist safety point of view. 

"We have already highlighted this so many times and it is not acceptable that no works are planned. I formally propose we send a request to Transport Infrastructure Ireland asking for clarification regarding their position on this junction and look for a formal response. The N59 is a national secondary road so it is important TII put something on the record.” 

The proposal was agreed by members.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.