Funding to be sought for Greenway crash barrier in west Mayo

MAYO County Council are to seek funding to erect a fence along a stretch of the Great Western Greenway described as ‘very dangerous’ by a local representative.

The stretch near Kilbride currently has no barrier to prevent cars from leaving the road in the event of an accident.

Cllr John O’Malley said that one vehicle ended up on the greenway during one such incident.

Cllr O’Malley said he understood that erecting a barrier was the responsibility of TII to erect a new barrier, rather than Mayo County Council. A barrier is already in place at the curve on the road.

“They recognise that there is a bit of a danger there so if they brought it up further, right up to where the houses are in Kilbride, I think it would leave the Greenway a lot safer,” Cllr O’Malley said at the monthly meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy echoed his concerns saying that ‘someone is going to get badly hurt there, if not drowned’ unless action was taken.

Heather Gibbons, Westport-Belmullet Municipal District area engineer, said she would contact the National Road Design Officer to see if a crash barrier could be installed. She added that the council would apply for funding for such a barrier in the new year if necessary.

Cllr O’Malley also asked whether it was safe to leave flooded areas of the greenway open in light of recent flooding caused by Storm Ashley.

Ms Gibbons said she would discuss the matter with the council’s tourism section. She added that the council’s area office could get staff to close off flooded sections of the greenway if necessary.

Joanne Grehan, Mayo County Council’s Director of Services of Tourism, said that closures would only occur following an assessment from the council.