Speed limit activists to block N60 at Breaffy next Sunday

TRAFFIC stoppages are set to take place on a busy stretch of the N60 at Breaffy, Castlebar, next Sunday because Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) won't take steps to reduce the speed there to 60 kph, it has been confirmed.

The protest, spearheaded by elected members of Castlebar Municipal District, will be held in the village after 11,30 a.m. Mass.

At present, the speed limit is 100 kph, a situation described as 'absurd' by the local community.

In support, local councillors have decided unanimously to lead the community in protest action.

Further protests, if necessary, will take place on other dates in order to achieve progress on the long running issue.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, cathaoirleach, Castlebar Municipal District, said Bohola Traffic Calming Action Committee was faced with a similar impasse and only achieved results after threatening a series of traffic stoppages on the N5 if their demands were not met.

He claimed that nowhere else in the country is there a 100 kph limit where on one side of the road you have two hotels and a football pitch and on the other side you have a church as well as houses and a school and a pub.

Councillor Cyril Burke maintained that TII is ‘by no means consistent’ as regards speed limits.

In 2017, County Mayo had the third highest record of road fatalities, with 12 people losing their lives on its roads. A number of these tragedies occurred at Breaffy.