Ballina town braced for controversial new traffic plan

Ballina town braces itself for new traffic plan


Anna-Marie Flynn

BALLINA motorists will have to get to grips with a new town centre traffic system from Wednesday next, September 29 at 8am.
The new plan – which dramatically changes the current directional flow of traffic in the town -  is phase two of a two-part traffic management system unveiled by Ballina Town Council last year.
While phase one of the plan, which is currently in existence, created an orbital route around the town centre, the second phase which focuses on the main streets is much more ambitious. Drivers will now have to get to grips with a completely new system which is dominated by one-way streets. One of the town’s most well-known streets, O’Rahilly Street, will stay one-way but traffic flow is set to change to the opposite direction; Casement Street will become one-way westbound; Tolan Street or Bridge Street altering to one-way eastbound and Hill Street traffic will also become one-way in the opposite direction. Tone Street or Garden Street has been designated one-way westbound as far as Market Road which will also bea one-way route as far as the proposed link road between this street and Pearse Street.
Town Engineer, Michael O’Grady outlined the plans for implementing the system to councillors last week, stating that ‘there will undoubtedly be teething problems’. “I would ask drivers to be patient. We are all creatures of habit but I would appeal to all road users to be patient until things settle with the new system. We will be monitoring it hopefully it will work out okay. If there are any obvious issues arising we will look at alternatives and see what we can do,” he said.
Following a presentation, during which elected members were presented with maps of the system, the Town Engineer said the objective behind the project was to ‘create a layout which was less attractive to those just driving through town for the sake of it’ and to make traffic flow more efficient in the town centre and outlying areas.
The new plans were met with mixed views by councillors, with many arguing that problems arising in phase one have yet to be dealt with ‘satisfactorily’. Despite this, members were left with little option but to agree to the implementation later this month as suggestions to defer it were met with a flat refusal by the executive.
Town Manager, Paddy Mahon, commended Mr O’Grady on his ‘hard work and continued dedication’ to the formation of the new system. He said the local authority will continue to liaise with An Garda Siochana, the Emergency Services and the Chamber of Commerce as the second phase is being rolled out.

Ballina Traffic System – Phase 2

O’Rahilly Street – one-way in the opposite direction

Casement Street – one-way westbound

Tolan Street – one-way eastbound

Hill Street – one-way in the opposite direction

Tone Street – one was westbound to Market Road

Market Road – one was westbound to proposed Link Road

Pearse Street – one-way