Road safety issues highlighted at Westport meeting

A Louisburgh councillor has asked management of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District to look into a number of issues in the vicinity of Belclare and Murrisk in Westport. 

At the recent meeting of the authority, Cllr Chris Maxwell referenced a recent "serious accident" near Gannon’s Garage in Belcare.

“Perhaps you could look at putting some other sign in before you get to the garage to emphasise the upcoming sharp bend before there is a fatality on it.” 

Cllr Maxwell raised another issue at Murrisk whereby he claimed motorists are parking outside houses and creating hazards for locals.

“The recent roadworks job at Murrisk is thankfully complete and done to a very good standard, but there is one issue there with parking. It is happening at weekends, just after the Tavern Bar on the right-hand side, an awful lot of people are parking anywhere they can outside houses and the major issue homeowners have is when they come out of their driveways, there is a car either side and they can’t see the road right or left. They are wondering can something be done to stop people parking outside their properties.” 

The Independent Ireland councillor also asked for warning signs to be installed advising motorists of sheep grazing on commonage lands along the Louisburgh/Leenane Road towards Ashleigh Falls, and told management there are reports of dogs running wild and fouling at Carrowniskey Beach. He also wanted to know whether toilet charges are to be imposed at the new outdoor beach facilities at the beach and also at Keel Beach in Achill, to which Cllr Paul McNamara commented: “We are waiting for a report from Fáilte Ireland on this but obviously there has to be some control on it.”

The meeting also heard that a speed ramp in Murrisk, installed as part of road safety works, is working well and meets regulation standards.

Cllr John O’Malley had asked if the council could erect signage “to warn people because if they hit it fairly fast there will be an accident". 

Area Engineer Heather Gibbons responded: “The tourism section has confirmed that the speed bump was done to standard and there will be no more additions to it. The bump is working well because it is slowing traffic coming into Murrisk and that is the point of it.”

In another matter related to Murrisk, councillors welcomed plans for an extension to the local cemetery, which will see over 362 double burial plots added as well as a new entrance, access roadway, boundary treatment, internal footpaths and landscaping. 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn said the extension is very much needed as the current graveyard is reaching full capacity while Cllr Maxwell said it is very welcome news for the village. The works as proposed by the council were agreed by members.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.