Motorists treating Westport by-pass as a dual carriageway warns councillor

Motorists leaving the new N5 dual carriageway at the roundabout outside Westport continue to treat the Westport by-pass as a dual carriageway despite it reducing to a single lane road.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Brendan Mulroy warned that there has been a 'couple of close calls' on the Westport ring road where motorists exiting the roundabout drive on the incorrect side of the road.

The Westport northern bypass is part of the N5 but is a single carriageway road which links the N5 dual carriageway with the N59 Newport Road at Attireesh. It travels for approximately 2km along the back of the Abbvie pharmaceutical plant and the Westport GAA ground.

“For whatever reason, people continuing onto the [by-pass] road which brings you onto the Newport Road area continue to drive the road as a dual carriageway,” he told the meeting.

“I am not too sure if there is a sign to say an end to dual carriageway but the reality is people are coming off that road and treating it [by-pass] as a dual carriageway particularly late at night. They are driving both sides of the road which is problematic for oncoming traffic. I know people who have left Allergen or Abbvie late at night who have a couple of close calls.

“There probably is signage for the end of a dual carriageway but it is highly irregular for a dual carriageway to end at a roundabout as such but that is something I have had people onto me about,” he explained.

He was supported by Independent councillor John O'Malley who said that he has also been informed that this is happening.

“I don't think there is a sign saying an end of the dual carriageway but it is a problem and needs to be sorted,” he said.

Heather Gibbons, an engineer with Mayo County Council said that she will pass on her comments to the road design office to be followed up on.

Meanwhile, Cllr Mulroy expressed concern for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians who have to cross the N59 roundabout when joining the Great Western Greenway at Attireesh. Cllr Mulroy said that the area is lethal for pedestrians and cyclists and asked what is happening with that section of the Greenway to improve its safety.

“We are heading into the summer again and there is a roundabout there and people are crossing it with their kids. It is very dangerous there and needs to be sorted out,” he said.

Padraig Walsh, Head of the Municipal District said he will have a report on the Greenway for next month's meeting.