Speed ramps ruled out for Kilmaine

A county council engineer has ruled out speed ramps to alleviate speeding on the Tuam Road in Kilmaine.

Conrad Harley, Senior Executive Engineer with Mayo County Council, said putting speed ramps on the road would introduce a ‘new hazard’ for traffic.

“As the road coming into the speed limit is predominately rural, it is not appropriate for the installation of a ramp as this may introduce a new hazard to traffic,” Mr Harley wrote in response to a motion tabled by Cllr Patsy O’Brien at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District Council.

“The appropriate action to be taken is the installation of additional signage and to raise with matter with the roads policing unit regarding increased enforcement.”

Cllr O’Brien said he was ‘disappointed’ with Mr Harley’s reply.

“It has been extremely busy because of the motorway and has increased traffic,” the Independent councillor said.

Cllr O’Brien doubted whether garda road policing unit had the resources to increase enforcement in the area, as suggested by Mr Harley.

“When the Commissioner addressed us sometime ago, he told us that he wanted staff, he was short...so obviously the speeding is going to continue on that road, because there is no one to deter it,” said Cllr O’Brien, referring to the visit of Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to Mayo County Council last year.

The road is used by 1,494 vehicles per day and is located within a 50km/h zone.

A sum of €1.2 million was recently allocated by the government to upgrade the R332 between Kilmaine and Tuam (Foxhall).

Cllr Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, suggested asking the Department of Transport to consider including speed ramps in that allocation.

“I know there is a move against ramps, and I understand that side of it, but if it was something that could be done by way of traffic calming, we would support it,” said the Fianna Fáil councillor.

Mr Harley said that a ramp ‘could be deemed dangerous’ for motorists not familiar with the road who are approaching it from the brow of a hill.

He told councillors that a ‘much more significant’ speed sign will be installed to slow down cars entering the village.

Mr Harley said that a ramp could then potentially be constructed closer to the village itself.