Councillor calls for upgrade of narrow Currane Wild Atlantic Way

Coach tour operators say Currane Wild Atlantic Way is not safe


Councillor calls for upgrade of narrow road

Anton McNulty

THE promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way without the infrastructure to deal with the increase in traffic along the route is ‘putting the cart before the horse’, according to an Achill councillor.
Fianna FΡil councillor Paul McNamara raised concerns about the safety of large coaches driving along the Currane peninsula at a recent West Mayo Municipal meeting.
The councillor explained he has been contacted by coach tour operators who say the road is not safe for their vehicles.

Lives at risk
“All the tourist traffic following the Wild Atlantic Way to Achill follows the L1404 around Currane from Mulranny and does not take the main R319. As a result, the traffic numbers have quadrupled during the tourist season, and the road is not suitable for the traffic. Coach operators have contacted me saying they have concerns regarding the health and safety of the road and asking will anything be done about it.
“If a coach meets a car, there is no where to pull in and there are some areas along the road where a coach will be in serious trouble if they do meet. It is putting people’s lives at risk and the good name of the Wild Atlantic Way is being put in jeopardy. It is not fair for tourists or the locals. Promoting the Wild Atlantic Way is good, but you have to have the infrastructure to cope with the extra traffic. Otherwise it is like putting the cart before the horse,” he said.
Cllr McNamara said that people have been campaigning for an upgrade of the road around the Currane peninsula without success for the last 20 years. Council officials have informed Cllr McNamara that there is no funding available for the upgrade of the road, however.
“I am concerned for tourists and local people using that road. If we want to promote the Wild Atlantic Way we need the infrastructure to be right and we are obliged to provide a safe road for the users,” he said. At last week’s meeting, Cllr Michael Holmes said he backs Cllr McNamara ‘100 percent’ on the issue.