Call for traffic calming measures at three Mayo bridges

An Achill councillor has called for immediate traffic calming measures to be put in place along a 'dangerous' stretch of road between three bridges on the island.

Fianna Fáil councillor Paul McNamara made the call at yesterday's monthly meeting of the Westport/Municipal District after he was informed that any project to upgrade a stretch of road where the bridges are located will not be completed until 2027 at the earliest.

The three bridges are located within a short distance of each other along the R319 at the entrance to the village of Cashel on Achill Island and have been the scene of a number of traffic accidents and collisions.

Cllr McNamara was informed that an application for funding to design a project for the upgrade of the R319 road will be made to the Department of Transport in 2025. However it is likely the project will have to go to An Bord Pleanála for approval and it could be late 2026 before any construction work starts and 2027 before it is completed.

Disappointment

Cllr McNamara expressed disappointment with the timeframe involved and called for some immediate action to be taken as he feared a fatality will take place if the conditions remain the same.

“There is no question there is going to be a serious accident because time and time again there are accidents and in my opinion the problem is getting further away from getting solved.

“If it is not going to be done in the next three years something will have to be looked at because it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident. The cars are travelling down there at 80km per hour ... whether the speed limits will have to be reduced temporarily or traffic calming measures put in place temporarily but definitely something needs to be looked at in that area before construction starts.

“I have raised this several times over the years and it wasn't prioritised. I want it on the record because when it happens I don't want it said that our local councillor has done nothing about it. I have done all I can. I have taken the Minister [Jack Chambers] down who said please send up an application for funding and that didn't happen. Action needs to be taken whether it is traffic calming measures or the reduction in the speed limit before its too late. I hate saying it but there will be a fatality,” he said.

Seamus Ó Mongáin, Head of the Municipal District replied that he will bring the queries raised by Cllr McNamara to the Roads department of Mayo County Council and see if traffic calming measures can be adopted to improve the situation.

“Ultimately the endgame is the three bridge application which they have already made,” he added.