North Mayo councillors call for traffic study for Ballina eastern-bypass

Ballina councillors have called on Mayo County Council to carry out a detailed traffic study of the town to push for the case of an eastern by-pass.

There were further calls at the monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District for an eastern by-pass of Ballina town to alleviate traffic concerns in the north Mayo capital. These calls have intensified in recent months with local businesses and residents saying it is needed along with a new crossing of the Moy.

Fine Gael councillor Marie Therese Duffy raised the matter at the monthly meeting where she called for a traffic study to strengthen the case for an eastern by-pass.

“As we all know the eastern by-pass for Ballina is badly needed with a new bridge over the Moy. In order for us to strengthen the case for an eastern by-pass I think a detailed traffic study showing the driver times and volumes of traffic and journey time it takes to get from Hollister to Ardnaree or the Sligo Road.

“I think we need to show the data to back up that because we are hearing it on the streets. To present that information to the TII [Transport Infrastructure Ireland] will be helpful in making a case for the eastern by-pass which is needed,” she told the meeting.

In a response to a notice of motion submitted by Cllr Duffy calling for funding for a detailed traffic study of Ballina, she was informed that the request for funding will be progressed but there is no timeline for this.

The Mayo National Roads Office is currently working on the delivery of the western section of the Ballina Bypass which will link the N26 Foxford/Dublin road, south of Ballina town, with the N59 Crossmolina road between the townlands of Behybaun and Gurteens.

Lack of parking

Cllr Duffy's proposal was supported by party colleague Cllr John O'Hara who said that people cannot do business on both sides of the river because of the traffic problems and something is needed to progress an eastern by-pass.

The Bonniconlon-based councillor said that parking is also at a premium in Ballina which was resulting in motorists driving around the town looking for space. He called for an area of vacant land close to Diamond's car park to be made available to house a multi-storey car park.

“There is a need for a bigger car park. We have space up the front at the old ESB place and why don't we use it because as a car park it will be worth its weight in gold.

“It is not fair to businesses. We need a high rise car park there and it will be the only thing to keep the people in town. People are coming into Ballina and there is no parking,” he said.

Head of the Ballina Municipal District, Anna O'Connor said that there is an increase in traffic warden patrols in town centre car parks to ensure there is turn over of space.