Lawless calls for road to be widened between Knock and Ballyhaunis

Aontú Mayo candidate Paul Lawless is calling on Mayo County Council to expand the roads from Knock to Ballyhaunis, and from Knock to the Kiltimagh Knock United soccer pitch.

Mr Lawless, who is running in the Claremorris Local Electoral Area, expressed concern about the ‘huge volume of traffic’ on the R323 between Ballyhaunis and Knock. 

“There is also a significant number of pedestrians and cyclists on this route for various reasons including the employment of hundreds of people in Western Brand Chickens, the 1,500-plus hours of games in the [Connacht] GAA Centre of Excellence each year, the 1,200 weekly visitors to the Kiltimagh/Knock [United] Soccer Club, as well as the millions of visitors to Knock Shrine every year,” Mr Lawless stated.

“The Western Care Association, who use the KK Utd Club as a day care facility, also require safe access to Knock Village for their service users. 

“In particular, there is a huge number of children walking/cycling from Knock village to KK United Club on a daily basis. This road is far too dangerous for this. The Council needs to prioritise investment in this short stretch of circa one kilometre (without a footpath) as a matter of urgency.”

Mr Lawless cited the recent instillation of cycle lanes and footpaths in the village of Balla as something he would like installed between Knock and Ballyhaunis.

“Such an investment would make a massive difference to both Ballyhaunis and Knock," he said. 

“We cannot wait for a serious injury or fatality on our roads before taking action.”