Concern about speeding in Tooreen

AN issue with speeding in Tooreen village needs to be addressed by way of enforcement and possibly some traffic calming measures.

The concern voiced by local residents was aired at a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting today where Councillor Neil Cruise tabled a notice.

He asked for a greater garda presence as a deterrent to speeding and also a pedestrian crossing and some traffic calming.

Senior engineer Conrad Harley felt a pedestrian crossing would help, but enforcing the speed limit would be the biggest influence on slowing cars down, he said.

A survey has been conducted and referred to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), he explained, and they ultimately were the decision makers on any traffic calming measures.

Councillor John Caulfield said the speed limit had been reduced twice, from 100kph to 80 and then 60. He queried if it was possible to put in a pedestrian crossing in a 60kph zone, or did it have to be 50kph.

With regards gardaí, everyone was aware of the lack of resources in the region. They should be deployed to work on crime, not sitting in Tooreen, and he would like to see the speed van deployed as a deterrent.

In terms of infrastructural works, 'we are at the mercy of TII', he noted.

There was an overall view that speeding is a problem in many villages. Enforcement, said Councillor Patsy O'Brien, is key.

The 'best mix', suggested Councillor Michael Burke, was the speed van and the gardaí.

Councillor Cruise noted how half the Mayo road traffic unit was based in Swinford – a short trip from Tooreen.