Mayo councillors raise alarm over road safety

Ballina Municipal District councillors brought road safety to the forefront of their meeting this morning, particularly the need to address speeding and pedestrian safety in key areas of the Salmon Capital.

Independent Mark Duffy highlighted a troubling incident at the newly installed pedestrian crossing near Cafolla’s. “A visually impaired woman’s walking aid was clipped by a speeding car” he remarked that the wide junction poses a danger for pedestrians.

“This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the urgent need to implement further safety measures,” Duffy stressed.

Councillor John O’Hara echoed these concerns, stating that during his election campaign, the topic of speeding drivers was a recurrent issue in every area he canvassed. “People fear speeding cars in every estate,” O’Hara remarked.

He pointed out the necessity of introducing speed bumps along Market Road in the town. “We might not like them, and they aren’t popular, but they are effective,” he noted, citing the success of similar measures in Castlebar. O’Hara called for a public debate on the matter to find a consensus.

The discussion also touched on the situation in Market Square, where the wide expanse at the bottom of the road encourages high speeds, endangering pedestrians.

Cathaoirleach Michael Loftus, similarly concerned said, “The state of the N59 road (Bangor Erris to Crossmolina and Ballina) and the speed of cars entering towns is alarming. We (councillors) are essentially taking on the role of the Gardaí to slow down traffic,” Loftus said.

He lamented the lack of visible law enforcement, stating, “We’re supposed to have Gardaí patrolling roads for 30 minutes a day before starting their other duties, but I haven’t seen a Garda in quite some time.”

Loftus highlighted the absence of a superintendent in the county noting, “Initially, Mayo had six superintendents, now we have none. We’ve been assured that one will be appointed in due course, but the delay is concerning.”