Turning lane on N4 to Jamestown is "extremely dangerous"

“The middle lane of the N4 coming from Carrick and turning right to Jamestown is one of the most dangerous junctions in the country and something has got to be done about it,” said Cllr Enda Stenson at the monthly Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District meeting held this week.

In a notice of motion to the meeting, Cllr Stenson acknowledged the issue has been raised in the chamber before, but a local group has pleaded with him to again raise the issue of the junctions off the N4, that lead to both Jamestown, and Drumsna.

“In particular, the exit lane to Jamestown coming from Carrick is on a bend and is not lit and I believe this junction to be dangerous. We must insist on this junction being brought up to proper safety standards,” he said.

A reply from Leitrim County Council stated, "Current road standards do not permit lighting at these junctions. The provision of public lighting at these locations would only be considered if there is a history of traffic accidents at night at these junctions. Neither of these junctions (Jamestown and Drumsna) have been identified as a high collision location."

Cllr Stenson said he knows it is not simply a Council issue but he has seen accidents on it, they may not have been reported, but they have happened.

All councillors supported the motion and Cllr Sean McGowan noted traffic is going extremely fast there.

District Engineer, Darragh O'Boyle said the road belongs to the TII and is maintained by Leitrim County Council but he would get the Council's Roads office to bring it up with them and perhaps a safety audit could be carried out. He said there has been no recorded incidents there so it is difficult.