Mayo border road described as most dangerous in the county

A regional road along the Mayo and Roscommon border has been described as ‘one of the worst and most dangerous roads in the county’ with calls for it to be prioritised for upgrading.

There was general agreement among members of the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District that the Carrownedial/Tulrahan road towards Culnaclegha cross in east Mayo is in need of a major upgrade due to the volume of traffic along the regional road.

The R327 road in east Mayo is often used as a link road through Cloonfad to Ballymoe for traffic travelling to Roscommon in order to avoid travelling through Ballyhaunis and Castlerea.

However, councillors told the monthly meeting of the municipal district that the Mayo side of the road is dangerous due to the nature of bends and narrow stretches, and there were calls on the council to request funding for a major upgrade.

Claremorris-based councillor Richard Finn, who, along with Cllr Patsy O’Brien, proposed the request for funding for the road in a joint notice of motion, said that it has become a danger to motorists and residents living along it.

“It is one of the worst and most dangerous roads in the county. It is a major link road on the way to Roscommon, but it is a danger to local residents with the amount of traffic that is on it.

"It is narrow and has turns and dangerous bends, and can go from a reasonable road to another area where it is totally inadequate. Locals are adamant that this road is given immediate attention for an upgrade,” he said.

The Independent councillor also criticised Mayo County Council for their maintenance of the road in contrast to their colleagues in Roscommon.

“When people come in from Roscommon, they see a fine road leading out of Cloonfad right to the Mayo border, and then they have to hit the type of road in Mayo that is totally inadequate compared to what Roscommon County Council has done on their side of the border,” he commented.

HIGHLY DANGEROUS

Robeen-based councillor Patsy O’Brien concurred, saying that it is highly dangerous and locals are very concerned about it.

Ballyhaunis-based councillor Alma Gallagher commented that commitments over the years to upgrade the road have not been met, and it is time that something is done.

She said that many articulated lorries use the road, and it is not adequate to deal with the volume of traffic and is dangerous for pedestrians.

She did, however, welcome the allocation of €300,000 towards strengthening works for a portion of the road and believed it will be a ‘Rolls-Royce of a job’ even if the bends are not taken out.

Aontú councillor Deirdre Lawless also called for strategic funding to be provided for the road, as it is not safe in places for two vehicles to pass safely.