Seven taken to hospital after Ballinrobe crash

PROBLEM JUNCTION  Consultants may be asked to try and make this well-known junction in Ballinrobe safer.  Pic: Google maps

Ciara Galvin

SEVEN people were taken to hospital following a two-car collision in Ballinrobe on Friday last.
The accident occurred at 7.20pm at the junction of Abbey Street, High Street and Main Street in the town. One car was travelling up High St hill, while the second car was coming from Abbey St when the collision took place, resulting in one of the vehicles being pushed into the former Ulster Bank building. The basement window of the building was smashed.
Those involved were taken to UCHG and MUH, but nobody was seriously injured. The junction was closed for a time until the area was cleared.
Cllr Patsy O’Brien said the junction is a ‘constant cause for concern’ while colleague, Cllr Damien Ryan said a traffic management plan is in the process of being compiled for the town.
“There isn’t a lot you can do, you can’t put lights on it [the junction] because of the hill,” said Cllr Ryan, adding that he will be asking consultants appointed for the traffic management plan to look into the issue.
Cllr Ryan believes there is no issue with traffic coming onto the junction from Abbey St as visibility is clear, but said perhaps an issue that could be addressed is traffic coming from Main St across the junction to Abbey St.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the junction, town trader Mary Walkin said more prominent signage is needed at the junction.
“It is a hard junction and the amount of times I see cars coming from Main St to Abbey St and it’s only by the grace of God that some cars haven’t been hit,” said Mary.
Cllr O’Brien believes one of the issues  is heavy goods vehicles coming from Abbey Street.
“HGVs are turning from Abbey St and mounting the curb...and it’s ridiculous that they have to stop right at the top of a hill [at the pedestrian crossing], the crossing could have been put in half way up Glebe St,” said O’Brien.