‘Stark’ figures point to action needed on N17
A stretch of road on the N17. Picture: Google Maps
Councillors in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District have said action must be taken to provide road safety solutions on the N17, which has seen a spate of fatal accidents this year.
Cllr Richard Finn raised two notices of motion about the issue at last week’s meeting of the municipal district. He called for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to erect modern fencing on both sides of the road between Ballindine and Claremorris in place of the existing concrete post and railing fencing.
He also called on the TII to consider the road safety risks of local roads leading onto the N17 between Ballindine and Knock and to consider all possible options to make the road a safer place for users.
Cllr Finn said speed, enforcement, driver behaviour and human error are all factors to take into consideration when accidents occur but Mayo Co Council cannot just listen to bureaucracy; action needs to be taken.
Cllr Alma Gallagher said she was shocked to learn that the council’s road engineering teams do not have access to collision data because of GDPR.
“We need evidence-based data for the causes of fatalities. Already we had eight fatalities on the N17 this year so far, that is one-twelfth of all road fatalities nationally, that is a stark figure and there is a responsibility on us to address it,” she said.
Cllr Neil Cruise said the situation would only get better through enforcement and education. He said the municipal district needs to have a strong representation on the council's Roads Strategic Policing Committee.
Cllr Gerry Murray said he was struck by hearing Mayo Coroner Pat O’Connor speaking on RTÉ Radio's about the condition of road infrastructure west of the Shannon and said a motorway from Sligo to Galway would be a solution.
“The logical thing would be a motorway, even though the Government is adamant there won’t be a motorway from Sligo to Tuam.
“This is an issue of road safety and unless we get state-of-the-art infrastructure in the west, we’re in trouble,” he said.
Roads engineer Conrad Harley said funding had been received for the replacement of the concrete post and rail fencing and works would commence shortly. He has been working with the council's Head of Roads and TII to review the full extent of the N17 and, in particular, the section between Knock and the Galway border near Ballindine. Discussions are underway with the TII and it is hoped a package of works can be agreed shortly, Mr Harley added.
