Overhanging trees ‘causing a huge problem’ on Mayo roads

A Castlebar councillor has said overhanging trees on roads in the district are causing a huge problem for motorists.

The matter was raised at last week's municipal district meeting by Cllr Ger Deere who said "trucks are having their wing mirrors broken".

"On Cottage Road the last day, a bin truck that drove past some overhanging trees there since the storm, the tree flew back after he passed and hit a lady who was driving a car behind with three children in it. 

"There is also a huge problem at the Windy Gap in Sarnaught. One man with a transit van there, four times he has had his wing mirror and windscreen smashed. Also at Errew School, it is almost closed in with trees. 

"We will have a lot of accidents around this I am sure and we have an onus as a local authority to sort this.” 

Cllr Blackie Gavin thanked council management for having cut back some overhanging trees at the Sion Hill junction on the Pontoon Road.

“Thanks to the council for their rapid response to my request in cutting back the trees and for making the junction much safer.” 

The Castlebar councillor also praised similar work carried out at the back of Lucan Street and Lower Charles Street, adding: “The trees were cut back and would have cut the eye out of you before so it all looks fantastic and I thank the council”. 

He asked that the footpath on Sion Hill and in the estate there now be looked at as “a few of them are in a bad state".

The head of the municipal district David Mellett told members: “We will review some of those trees damaged by the storm. We are carrying out a survey on those and any that are causing a danger to traffic we will look at.”