South Leitrim councillors call for pedestrian crossing on lower Main Street, Mohill

South Leitrim councillors agreed that a pedestrian crossing on lower Main Street would be a much welcomed addition to the town. 

Cllr Irene Guckian Rabbitte called for a new crossing to be situated between Fitzpatrick's pub side of the street to Ann Duignan's shop and also, that the council reinstate the pedestrian crossing on upper Main Street near the Bank of Ireland.

She was advised that public realm works in Mohill resulted in the realignment of the roadway and road space has been reallocated to increase the width of footpaths to improve safety for vulnerable road users. A number of safe crossing points have been installed, located along the pedestrian route desired lines throughout the Main Street. It is not deemed necessary to install another crossing point on lower Main Street and to do so would result in the loss of car parking. 

READ MORE: Leitrim is 'the hidden heart of the midlands' - local hotel marketing manager on region's success

The contractor has been requested to install the pedestrian crossing markings at the old bank building as a matter of urgency which Cllr Guckian Rabbitte welcomed.

She said that "it is hard when coming from the library to use the shops for anyone who is perhaps older or have any kind of disability or have a buggy" and adding that, "people are finding it hard to get somewhere to cross at that end of the street and were asking about a crossing there."

READ MORE: Leitrim councillor warns of a ‘sustainable, natural and healthy’ resource going to waste

Cllr Maeve Reynolds supported the motion and said that "when the public realm works was envisaged, that part of town wasn't as busy and now it's the busiest with the butcher's and two cafes. The lack of pedestrian crossing there is definitely missed."

Cllr Enda Stenson suggested following up on the issue with the former district engineer while Cllr Sean McGowan said the location suggested by Cllr Guckian Rabbitte would be "an ideal place for a pedestrian crossing" and said he didn't believe it would result in loss of car parking spaces. 

He added that he also believed it would slow down traffic coming into the town.