Traffic congestion

Achill Bridge causing traffic congestion

Emer Gallagher

THE TRAFFIC problems arising from the development of the bridge in Achill will cause chaos in summer months, it is felt.
The development of the new bridge in Achill is likely to be completed by September of this year and a temporary causeway and bypass are in place.
At the monthly meeting of the Belmullet Electoral Area last Thursday, Councillor Michéal McNamara said that the recent good weather had meant that the island was extremely busy and construction was causing considerable traffic congestion.
“The council and the gardaí should review the situation and see what can be done to improve the area,” said Cllr McNamara.
The Fianna Fáil councillor also questioned the safety of the footpaths leading from the bridge on the island side.
Cllr Michael Holmes said that parking should only be allowed on one side in a bid to ease traffic flow and questioned the necessity of the speed ramps.
“The traffic is causing all kinds of congestion,” said Cllr Holmes.
“There are speed ramps on the new causeway. Traffic is going through at an awful slow rate, especially artic trucks and it is causing big tail-backs. It is a case of the cure being worse than the disease,” Cllr Holmes added.
Mr Michael Mongan, Senior Engineer with Mayo County Council said that the traffic situation would be dealt with.
“There is quite a lot of civil work to be carried out. It is moving very well at this point and we would ask the community to bear with us,” said Mr Mongan,