Residents concerned with road layout changes at junction

A resident of a Castlebar village that is beset with road safety concerns arising from the construction of a new junction has said he is “not confident” these concerns are fully on Mayo County Council’s agenda.

Frank Forde, who lives at Baloor where Breaffy Active Travel works have been taking place to alter the existing road layout, was part of a deputation attending last week’s meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District. The residents had previously expressed concern that the new layout was causing and creating new traffic hazards in the area.

Director of Services David Mellett said there are three items of works being carried out at Baloor within the next few weeks. He expects footpath widening to take place within the next week with other minor works, including adjustment of the interface between the Baloor and Breaffy roads and a review of the kerb alignment, to take place over the next three to four weeks.

Mr Forde said the narrowness of the road continues to be an issue and told the meeting he had met a low-loader on the road, which resulted in his own car ending up riding the kerb and the low-loader also coming onto the opposite kerb.

“We have to be safe. It doesn’t auger well if this is the best we can do at this junction. It needs to be widened to accommodate all kinds of traffic, agricultural, commercial and everyone else,” he said. “I am not confident it is on the agenda at the moment with minor changes.”

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said he was not happy that the Baloor group had to go to the effort of attending the municipal district meeting to get an update.

“These people are just trying to get this right. If people go to trouble of contacting the council, they should be got back to.”

Cllr Al McDonnell suggested that a deputation of Baloor residents be invited to a meeting with Roads Design Office staff and councillors to further discuss the issue.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.