HGV drivers causing traffic chaos going down narrow Mayo street

TRUCK drivers are ignoring signs preventing them travelling down a Castlebar street despite heavy goods vehicles struggling to negotiate a sharp corner.

Fianna Fáil councillor Al McDonnell reiterated his call for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) to be banned from going down Castle Street in Castlebar after a number of them failed to take the turn at the bottom of the bend.

The Carnacon-based councillor who has an office on Castle Street raised the matter at the April monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District and raised it again at the May meeting after failing to get a response on the matter.

Cllr McDonnell said that recently a HGV caused traffic chaos after getting caught on the corner and it was time something was done about it.

“Nearly all those trucks come in from the Newport Road and the famous Mr Google sends them straight through and up through Market Square and into Castle Street and they fail to take the old turn formerly known as Stewarts Corner.

“There is chaos every time a heavy goods vehicle comes up there. There is an easy solution and it is that those trucks be diverted from the traffic lights at Newtown down Chapel Street or out the Westport Road. All it requires is a sign and it will solve the whole thing,” he said.

The meeting heard that in order to make the corner, many HGVs have to reverse and mount the footpath at Danolla's restaurant.

“It is a major operation and inconveniences a lot of people and puts pedestrians in danger. It needs to be addressed urgently,” Cllr McDonnell added.

Head of the Castlebar Municipal District, David Mellett, explained that there is already a sign advising HGV drivers not to go down Castle Street but it is being ignored as the drivers follow the SatNav route. He accepted that new signage is 'the way to go' and the council were looking into that.