Mayo councillor slams regulations which narrowed Crossmolina junction
Cllr Michael Loftus said the narrowing of the R315 junction as part of the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme will result in accidents
A NORTH Mayo councillor has slammed regulations which has resulted in a junction near Crossmolina having to be narrowed as part of works for the local flood defence scheme.
The construction of the Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme has been ongoing since March 2025 and work also involves the construction of road bridges and road realignments.
Local councillor Michael Loftus raised his concerns regarding alterations to a junction of the R315 and Lake Road which he says will result in it being narrowed by a metre down to 5.5 metres.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Loftus said he has learned that the new junction was designed by Mayo County Council and the reduction in the width was carried out to bring it within the standard regulations for junction. He questioned the reasoning behind this if it makes a junction less safer.
“Now, to me, that is somebody hiding behind regulations. Regulations are fine, but when you see what was originally there and you look at other junctions that are used on a regular basis in other areas, and yet we have this junction which is reduced to 5.5 metres. It's ridiculous.
“A bus width is actually 2.55 metres, so you can visualise a bus swinging to go to Laherdane. It will now have to go on the opposite side of the road. So a regulation being put in place that doesn't really work is dangerous.
“If somebody in Dublin or somebody somewhere else is using these regulations to state that this is the way it has to be, to me it is wrong. I'm looking for something to be done about it but the junction is nearly completed by the OPW. It's just going to be a dangerous road as times go on,” he said.
The Fianna Fáil councillor said that bus drivers have already raised their concerns to him and fear they will not have enough room to manoeuvre their buses safely.
“The line of sight is actually very bad on the Crossmolina side if you're coming to meet it. I'm afraid with over 40 buses and about 100 cars coming from Gortnor Abbey School on a daily basis using that junction, there was going to be significant delays or accidents of some description,” he said.
The project is expected to be completed by 2029 and will afford protection from significant flood events to 73 residential and 43 business properties in the town.
While giving credit for the work carried out by the OPW and the contractors, Cllr Loftus said the issue regarding the R315 junction and the closure of the L1105 Rakestreet Road were issues which locals are not happy with.
He outlined that the closure of the L1105 in order to construct a bridge will result in a 9km round trip for residents into Crossmolina and expressed hope that an alternative route will be used which will make a big difference for the residents.