Prolonged wait for safe crossings at location where two children were knocked down

A Crossmolina councillor has urged Mayo County Council to fast-track plans for two pedestrian crossings in the town after an incident where two children were fortunate not to be killed when they were knocked while cycling to school, writes Paul O'Malley.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Loftus said he was told the council's Active Travel department was currently seeking funding from the National Transport Authority to progress the Crossmolina Local Transport Plan. Funding for projects such as the pedestrian crossings along the N59 will only become available once the local transport plan is in place.

However, Cllr Loftus said this was simply not good enough for the people of the town.

“Two kids were knocked down and could’ve been killed. The Active Travel plan for Crossmolina is already a year late as it stands, that is not good enough. I want this done straight away,” he told last week’s Ballina Municipal District meeting.

Area engineer Orla Bourke said the pedestrian crossings could not be provided without the necessary funding. Cllr Loftus replied that he feared a prolonged wait for the crossings.

“We’re going to be two years plus waiting. A pedestrian crossing costs the council about €25,000. We’re going nowhere if we think €25,000 isn’t worth the life of a child,” he said.