TII ‘no help’ in solving Breaffy speed-limit problem

Castlebar councillors frustrated with TII’s response to local speed-reduction proposals

Anton McNulty

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was described as a ‘distant body’ that is failing to listen to the Breaffy community’s wish for the speed limit through the village to be reduced.
Local councillors and Breaffy residents have been calling for a reduction of the current 100km per hour speed limit through the village along the N60, but they have yet to reach a satisfactory agreement with the TII.
In February, councillors in the area requested that the speed limit between Breaffy Post Office and the Cottage Road be changed to 60km/h, and that a speed limit of 80km/h be applied between the Cottage Road and Kilkelly Cross.
In a letter to councillors, the TII stated that while it is agreeable to reducing the speed limit to 80km per hour, it feels that reducing the speed limit to 60km per hour would ‘not be deemed appropriate’.
A special meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District took place last week to discuss the current situation, and each councillor expressed frustration with the approach taken by the TII.
The Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, claimed that the TII had snubbed the councillors’ proposals and had ‘come back with excuses’. His frustration was echoed by Cllr Henry Kenny.
“It seems to be extremely difficult all the time to deal with the TII, a distant body up there and we are down here. The long-term solution of all this is very difficult and the TII are no help,” he said.
A previous suggestion by the TII to temporarily reduce the speed limit at times when children are going and coming from the local national school was rejected by the community.

‘Bitter disappointment’
Cllr Al McDonnell said the campaign for a 60km/h speed limit needed to continue, but he wondered if there could be an ‘interim improvement’.
“We have to ask ourselves, do we have to accept an interim improvement of 80km per hour, which would to some extent enhance road safety, or do we go full belt for 60km per hour? I have an open mind on that,” he said.
However, Cllr Kilcoyne said he felt there there was no interim solution, and that the residents’ wishes should be respected.
“I think the community are being extremely reasonable and patient. Cars are coming out of the school and out of the church and hotel into a 100km [zone], and that is the problem. There have been two fatalities in four or five years, and the question to the TII is, ‘How many fatalities do you need to reduce the speed limit?’.”
Cllr Blackie Gavin also expressed his ‘bitter disappointment’ with the TII and suggested that the council request a meeting with the TII ‘on site’ in Breaffy. The proposal was supported by the other councillors.
The TII also stated that there was no record of consultation with the residents and the Gardaí prior to the submission being made. Marie Crowley, Head of the Municipal District, explained that the Road Traffic Act sets out a formal consultation process, and she stated that this process will have to be followed in due course.
Senior Engineer, Anne Sweeney told the councillors that while everyone in Breaffy wants what is best for the village, options other than reducing speed limits may have to be examined.
“There may be other means which we need to look at, such as sustainable transport initiatives and listening to the youth who are protesting around the world and saying it is not all about cars. We need to look at more options, and maybe putting in speed limits should not be the only thing considered.”