Calls for improved road safety at problematic areas

At this month's Ballinamore Municipal District meeting, a critical road safety issue was brought to light, highlighting the need for improvements in Shancurry, Drumshanbo, and Halls in Cloone.

Ballinamore Municipal District was informed about pedestrians and drivers encountering difficulties on these roads due to the steep verges at the sides.

Cllr Brendan Barry identified several problematic road areas, citing Shancurry and Halls as examples. Cllr Barry asked that Ballinamore M.D. place new material along the roads where there is a drop of the new surface and where cars are likely to go off the edge.

"It's been brought up by a good few people on different roads," Cllr Barry explained.

"Where the Council put on the new tarmacadam, it brings up the extra road sometimes when they're trying to level it and there can be a big step-off that tarmacadam onto the old verge.

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"Cars in several places have pulled in off the edge of the road when they're meeting other cars or even with people walking and then the bottom of the car gets caught in the tarmac and they get stuck there"

Cllr Barry suggested the Council could put light, loose stone along the edge of the road to take the steepness out of it.

"It wouldn't take a large amount of stone but it needs to be done in several places."

This has been a pressing road safety issue in the area, with instances of vehicles and walkers experiencing difficulties due to the surface.  

"One place there was a lay-by and a car pulled into the lay-by to let another pass, but when it went off the edge of the tarmac it had to be pulled out by a tractor," Cllr Barry said.

"Since I put down the motion, a lady stepped off the edge of the road to let the car pass and she slipped and hurt her arm."

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A reply from the Roads department stated, "The District Office will carry out verge filling to the necessary locations around their scheduled work on the roads programme, and routine maintenance works."