'Shops are closing' in Ballina due to traffic congestion

A Ballina councillor has told management of Mayo County Council that shops are closing down due to traffic congestion in the town.

Speaking at last week's council meeting, Cllr John O’Hara demanded action be taken to get funding for major roads projects in Ballina, in particular western and eastern bypasses.

“The traffic in Ballina is bad and whatever way you come in, there is a queue, and sometimes you can be in it an hour. When you come in from Enniscrone, you are diverted every which way. It can take hours to get where you want to go. You just can’t get through the town. It’s the same whether you come in the Crossmolina Road or the Dublin Road. For the longest time there is an eastern bypass route in place, all the land is frozen and ready to go, so how do we get it on the capital projects list? 

"All the businesspeople in Ballina are complaining that their customers are leaving them because of the traffic. They used to come in from Tubbercurry and Sligo to shop in Ballina. We had great shops, but many can’t survive now as they are not turning over enough money.

“What do we have to do to get a new bridge across the Moy, because from Hollister to Church Road the land is sterilised, so can you get a pathway ready for us and get us on the list?” 

Director of Services David Mellett said the western bypass in Ballina is progressing and will be going for planning. 

"There is also a lot of discussion with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the eastern bypass, and they understand the importance of it. It will be subject to their own funding, but we have asked for it to be on the programme next year. 

"The municipal district has separately put together a proposal for a traffic study for short-term interventions, such as minor works to alleviate traffic. A similar approach is being taken in Castlebar, and we hope to get funding on that from the Department of Transport. Also, we are talking to the National Transport Authority to fund an Active Travel Plan in Ballina to encourage people out of cars.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.