Progress on Breaffy village traffic calming project

CONSULTANTS have been appointed to help progress the traffic calming project at Breaffy village on the N60.

The appointment will allow for Part 8 planning to be progressed, including design and land acquisition works.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Alan Dillon said it remains an aim to deliver the traffic calming scheme in parallel with the opening of the new N5 Turlough to Westport road project.

The traffic calming works are likely to cost in the region of €1 million.

Said Deputy Dillon: “The appointment of consultants for this project is an important step in the right direction and getting this project progressed within a suitable timeline. Their appointment will help ensure that Part 8 planning for the scheme will be published later in the year. Once approved, the scheme will proceed to detailed design and land acquisition followed by the tendering process.

“It is still aimed to deliver this scheme in parallel with the opening of the N5 Westport to Turlough scheme. The project timeline is obviously dependent on the next phases running smoothly. Once the Part 8 planning is approved, it will be possible to provide a more definitive timeline on when the project will move to tender and subsequent construction.”

He continued: “It is very worrying considering, at present, there are no urban speed restrictions through Breaffy village, which has been extremely busy recently in light of additional traffic using the vaccination centre.

“I wish to assure the Breaffy community and local road users that I will continue to work closely with officials in Mayo County Council to deliver this traffic calming project as quickly as possible.

“The preferred scheme will provide for a reduction in the speed limit to 80kph from Kilkenny Cross to Heneghan's Garage, with a further reduction to 60kph at Breaffy National School during opening and closing times.

“Other works include the removal of parking on the hard shoulder at the church and Breaffy House sides, as well as narrowing the road from 3.5 metres to 3 metres.

“The works will also provide for the inclusion of a pedestrian crossing with splinter islands near the second Breaffy House entrance and the construction of a cycle lane and pedestrian pathway in and out of the village.”