Urgent need for a pedestrian crossing at Mayo secondary school
Local students are also calling for the safety measure.
Two members of Castlebar Municipal District have called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to install a new pedestrian crossing in Balla as a matter of urgency close to the entrance to the local secondary school to ensure the safety of students and pedestrians crossing the main road and allow ease of access for those with mobility issues.
Third-year students in the school wrote to some of the councillors expressing their concerns.
“Currently there is no pedestrian crossing at the entrance to our school near the petrol station in Balla," explained the students. "Wheelchair users and other pedestrians are forced to travel further up the footpath to find a safe crossing point, especially when heading to the nearby supermarket.
"This situation is not only inconvenient but also poses a significant safety risk, especially during busy traffic periods."
Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan raised the matter at last week's meeting of municipal councillors.
“This has been an issue that has been raised for quite some time,” she said. “We need something, and we need it done soon,” she added.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said there will be a protest in Balla if action is not taken quickly. He praised the students for taking an interest in their local area.
Cllr Cyril Burke backed the proposal and said something also needs to be done to address the traffic and parking "mayhem” at the local primary school in Balla.
David Mellett, head of Castlebar Municipal District, said funding is not currently available for the project but the Roads Design Office is examining the proposal. He said traffic and pedestrian counts will have to be carried out to determine the suitability of the proposal ahead of a submission to TII.
