Mystery crossing appears in Leitrim town without Council permission
A meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District heard that a crossing on Line Road near Tesco was installed without the Council's knowledge or planning permission.
Leitrim County Council are investigating an unauthorised crossing that was recently installed on Line Road in Ballinamore.
The crossing was placed by a contractor without the Council’s authorisation and necessary planning permission.
The matter was raised at April’s meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District, where Cllr Gary Prior sought clarification on the ownership of Line Road, by Tesco in the town.
It was confirmed that the road is privately owned, and that the contractor who installed the crossing was not working on behalf of Leitrim County Council.
The unexpected appearance of the crossing caused confusion among residents, with some believing it was an “illegal crossing” installed by the Council.
However, Council staff stated it had no knowledge of the installation and had not granted planning permission for it.
“It’s not something that was covered in the planning permissions they have, so we’re trying to establish exactly why they put it in,” a Council engineer told the meeting.
Although the road is privately owned, road rules are still applicable and there is currently no signage to indicate the crossing's presence.
Cllr Prior questioned whether signage needs to be installed and whether the Council could enforce its installation.
Officials explained that because it is private property, responsibility for the signage rests with the owner, and the Council can only refer them to relevant regulations.
Cllr Prior emphasised that the lack of signage is a serious concern.
In addition to the issue of the crossing, Cllr Prior mentioned he regularly receives complaints from the public regarding the condition of Line Road, with calls for upgrades to the footpath and lighting.
Furthermore, a second bus stop is planned for Ballinamore along Line Road, but it cannot proceed until the road is officially taken in charge by Leitrim County Council, as the National Transport Authority cannot install a stop on a private road.