Mayo road closure creates 'dangerous' detour
Residents say a dangerous situation has developed.
Residents of a Mayo village say a road closure to carry out bridge works has created a ‘dangerous situation’.
The N58 at Straide village is temporarily closed for bridge replacement works until Friday, December 4, 2026. Traffic is diverted via the R321 from Ballylahan to Bohola (N5), and then via the N5 back to Ballyvary. Residents have written to local councillors highlighting their concerns after the detour was put in in place.
They say a ‘dangerous situation’ has now developed. Locals state the L7141 road is now experiencing dangerously high traffic volumes due to motorists bypassing the closure. Residents say recent hedge trimming has helped improve visibility, but the narrow road width does not allow two cars to pass. They fear the situation will only get worse as schools return. Householders are calling for the construction of pull-in areas at regular intervals and they also feel the placing of personnel at junctions to ensure access is only for locals would help.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said the community deserves better.
"The people of Straide have been treated shabbily. First the bus stopped picking them up at the bus stop, secondly Mayo County Council and TII decided to close the main road to carry out works on the bridge and the people have to detour on a road around by Bohola,” he said.
