Solution sought for gridlocked junction in Mayo county town

THE Gallows Hill pinch point in Castlebar will have to be addressed, with no end in sight to traffic issues at the location.

Councillor Harry Barrett has asked the council to conduct a comprehensive traffic survey to provide a solution to the ongoing gridlock.

People are suffering every morning with 20 to 25 minute delays, he told a municipal district meeting, and it was time to research it, take best practice advice and then have the courage to implement a solution.

His Castlebar area colleagues agreed with his motion and mulled over various options, from traffic lights to a proper roundabout.

With new houses coming on stream in the Rathbawn Road area, the situation was only going to get worse.

Councillor Ger Deere suggested an interim measure to improve safety - railing to control pedestrians crossing at the corner, to bring them further up to the safer crossing point.

As it is now, it's an accident waiting to happen, he said.

Noting the 'bedlam' at Gallows Hill, Councillor Blackie Gavin wondered about putting in temporary traffic lights, and if they don't work, so be it.

Lights were something cathaoirleach Councillor Donna Sheridan felt would not work.

Municipal head David Mellett said they wanted to conduct a full scale traffic management plan for the town and were trying to source funding for this.

Gallows Hill is a definite pinch point and under their active travel surveys, ongoing since September, they have included this and also Market Square.

Interim measures will be looked at.

Councillor Cyril Burke suggested a Local Link town bus service might yield benefits, reducing congestion and freeing up parking.