Parking concerns prevent full pedestrian crossing at Leitrim GAA club

A full raised controlled crossing point below Ballinamore Community School to Sean O’Heslin’s GAA is unlikely, primarily due to parking constraints.

At February’s meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District, Cllr Gary Prior put forward a motion on behalf of the GAA club committee, who had asked him to raise the issue.

He called for a safer pedestrian crossing at this location, where an island is currently in place for pedestrians to use. 

“Given the high volume of students and members of the public who use this route daily and considering the heavy traffic on this road, it is imperative to enhance pedestrian safety by implementing appropriate traffic calming measures,” Cllr Prior said.

With Leitrim County Council recently granting approval for Sean O’Heslin’s GAA to construct an astroturf pitch, he noted that foot traffic in the area is set to increase further.

In response, the Roads department stated, “As part of the planning permission process for the school, the developer was requested to provide a full raised controlled crossing point at this location. 

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“However, following a road safety audit carried out by the developer it was determined that the uncontrolled crossing point at this location was sufficient.”

Senior engineer with Leitrim County Council, Terry McGovern, told Cllr Prior that the Council engineers had initially intended to install a full crossing at this location, but it was ultimately not feasible, with parking being a significant issue.

He told members that a full controlled crossing would require the removal of parking on both sides of the road for 20 metres, in addition to the width of the pedestrian crossing.

“You’d be taking out the majority of parking at the front,” he said.

The Roads department also noted that this area is within a 50km/h zone, and if speeding is a concern, the Gardaí can be notified.

Mr McGovern suggested that Ballinamore Community School could explore the option of an enhanced crossing under the Safe Routes to School Programme when applications reopen.

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